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

Interesting points with poor delivery.

Scoble and Isreal have a lot to say and many interesting points we should all think about. However, the organization and delivery of this book made it borderline impossible for me to follow.

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.

An excellent, quick read

Any additional comments?

I can strongly recommend this book with a significant caveat. You must read it within the next year or so. Since the focus is so bleeding-edge, it’s many specific company and product references are aging very quickly. In fact, in the ~6 months since publication, there are already a handful of dated references that remind you how rapidly this industry is evolving.
Beyond that, it’s very competently written. There are plenty of stimulating examples and conjecture for the hardcore tech enthusiast, while still being accessible for the interested layman.

From a vision perspective, I think Scoble and Israel largely get things right, although some of their timelines might be a little optimistic. Companies seem to be progressing a little more slowly in developing competent analytics than many would expect. But then, futurists seem to consistently overestimate software advancements – writing intelligent, context-aware software is proving challenging.

In conclusion, this is a great listen, but make sure you can get to it before it’s stack of supporting examples gets too stale.

An interesting look into the future of technology

Would you listen to Age of Context again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to Age of Contest again. I'm not the biggest fan of non-fiction books but Jefferey Kafer was able to keep me interested.

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

I was very interested in the section about advances of Context as it relates to the medical field. As someone who has a family history of cancer, any kind of advance detection is a benefit to me.

What about Jeffrey Kafer’s performance did you like?

I liked the way Mr. Kafer kept me engaged in the story. As this was non fiction, the content could have been 'dry' but Mr. Kafer's narrating kept me entertained.

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

The future is closer then you think

Masterful read by Jeffrey Kafer

Where does Age of Context rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is a great listen, especially with Jeffrey Kafer's narration.

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

Jeffrey allows the listener to digest the information about the future of technology in a way that is enjoyable and allows the listener to get the full meaning of the text.

Any additional comments?

If you would like to know the future, take a listen and enjoy.

Loved it!!!

Recommended read for companies wanting a glimpse of advertising in the future and wearable contextual devices. A Very easy read

Compelling look at technology today

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

The content. Scoble and Israel are well-qualified to speak on the state of technology and where it is heading. I have enjoyed following Scoble's career and this book is a great extension of his career.

Have you listened to any of Jeffrey Kafer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Jeffrey sounds professional and is enjoyable to listen to.

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

Yes, The book is intriguing. It keeps moving and each facet of technology is more interesting than the last. I found many new "apps" and gadgets to research and explore. I loved it.