Age of Context

Mobile, Sensors, Data and the Future of Privacy

By: Robert Scoble, Shel Israel

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

In 2006, co-authors Robert Scoble and Shel Israel wrote Naked Conversations, a book that persuaded businesses to embrace what we now call social media. Six years later they have teamed up again to report that social media is but one of five converging forces that promise to change virtually every aspect of our lives. You know these other forces already: mobile, data, sensors and location-based technology. Combined with social media they form a new generation of personalized technology that knows us better than our closest friends. Armed with that knowledge our personal devices can anticipate what we'll need next and serve us better than a butler or an executive assistant. The resulting convergent superforce is so powerful that it is ushering in an era the authors call the Age of Context.

In this new era, our devices know when to wake us up early because it snowed last night; they contact the people we are supposed to meet with to warn them we're running late. They even find content worth watching on television. They also promise to cure cancer and make it harder for terrorists to do their damage. Astoundingly, in the coming age you may only receive ads you want to see. Scoble and Israel have spent more than a year researching this book. They report what they have learned from interviewing more than a hundred pioneers of the new technology and by examining hundreds of contextual products.

What does it all mean? How will it change society in the future? The authors are unabashed tech enthusiasts, but as they write, an elephant sits in the living room of our book and it is called privacy. We are entering a time when our technology serves us best because it watches us; collecting data on what we do, who we speak with, what we look at. There is no doubt about it: Big Data is watching you. The time to lament the loss of privacy is over. The authors argue that the time is right to demand options that enable people to reclaim some portions of that privacy.

©2013 Shel Israel (P)2013 Shel Israel

Brain stimulating, not much more

I had already got some knowledge about the subject, so this audio book mostly spread the view I already had by offering more examples of how contextual data can be used. After all, that's what the audio book was about. Fun and easy to listen, I would say.

Glimpse of the not too distant future.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Really awesome set of observations from Robert Scoble. Excited about the possibilities that will arise as more and more contextual data is gathered about individuals. No need to fear it but to adapt and grow by taking advantage of all this data about ourselves.

Marketing Will Be Everywhere

Great thought-provoking examples of how new technology is shaping the world of marketing. Strong audio book in all aspects.

This is the future. Like it or not. Get ready.

What made the experience of listening to Age of Context the most enjoyable?

Robert Scoble is one of the world's greatest tech enthusiasts and an evangelist for all that is new in technology that is changing the world. Shel Israel has a gift for story telling. Together they help paint a picture for the reader and listener of how the world will change and how that change will effect both consumers and businesses alike.

I wanted to listen to this book because it is articulates some of the most important changes in the way the world is moving, whether we like it or not. Much of what they discuss is already starting to happen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Age of Context?

The acknowledgement of the, 'freaky factor'. How will consumers react to the things they might want being available before you even know you want it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to it over two evenings. If I didn't have children to entertain, I would have listened to it in one go.

Any additional comments?

Personally, am not sure that listening to a fact-based book is as powerful as reading it. when I read a book like this, I want to read it through but also use Post Its to mark pieces that resonate with me and I can refer back to them. this is much harder to do when your only choice is to listen and navigation is harder.

Awesome view of future

One gets a real peak into how technology might play in the future and impact our lives. Also one can use this to spot future opportunities.

Important info heading into the future

Would you listen to Age of Context again? Why?

I would, because it's a lot of foreshadowing of technical educational stuff that you may miss the first time around, since a little may be over one's head. But it's got great value, so a second listen at some point in time would be worth it.

Any additional comments?

It's somewhat dry material, but Jeffrey Kafer did a nice consistent job with it. He's got a nice cadence for this subject matter.

Context is everything

Takes the trends of social media, sensors, and other technologies and shows how the age of context is driving huge paradigm shifts in the way we interact with our gadgets and each other. Scobles and Israel bring great insight to the discussion due to their deep knowledge of technology and business.

What a great insight in the new world ahead of us

What did you love best about Age of Context?

It was very well researched and impartial. They took their time to really look hard at all sides of this subject.

What other book might you compare Age of Context to and why?

not sure as this is the first book of this kind for me.

What about Jeffrey Kafer’s performance did you like?

He is very easy to understand. Very clear.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Upsize me meets the tech world

Any additional comments?

If you have an interest in where we are going with all things tech and social. Read this book.
If you have an interest in Big Data.
Read this book.
If you have concerns about your privacy in today's world.
Read this book.

Technology is becoming more human

If you could sum up Age of Context in three words, what would they be?

Future Presently Here

What other book might you compare Age of Context to and why?

Thinking fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. Daniel Kahneman explores humanities tendencies and their biases. I suppose the technology that Scoble and Israel explore is learning these biases proposed by Kahneman, and making our human experience more convenient, data-driven, and empirical.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was the portion of the book that describes the Alohar mobile platform. It's companies like that that offer a peek into the future.

If You Are Human & Alive in 2015, READ This Book

Whether you are into Tech or afraid of it, this book is a must. It is full of insights, ideas and realities that make it one of the best books on technology I have ever read. Since it was written in 2013, many of the concepts and early stage products have come to fruition and some have surpassed the authors original thoughts. Read it and Enjoy and my thanks to Scoble and Israel for a well written enjoyable read.