The Future of Reputation

Gossip, Rumor, and Privacy on the Internet

By: Daniel J. Solove

Narrated by: Jeff Wilson

Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

This engrossing book explores the profound implications of personal information on the Internet, preserved forever even if it is false, biased, or humiliating. Brimming with examples of online gossip, slander, and rumor, the book discusses the tensions between privacy and free speech and proposes how to balance the two. What information about you is on the Internet?

©2007 Yale University Press (P)2007 Yale University Press

Critic reviews

"Timely and provocative, The Future of Reputation explores a principal dilemma of our age and provides a workable solution that may appeal to readers on both sides of the debate." ( Harvard Law Review)

Overview of Internet, privacy and free speech

Any additional comments?

Very approachable overview of the intersection of the internet (especially blogs and social media) with the law, and of privacy law and free speech law with each other. Written by an eminent law professor, the book is concise and clear, and reads like an extended lecture and/or a straightforward law review article. It is easy to digest but is not really a pop read. I am stunned by how timely this book feels despite having been written about 8 years ago, even more surprising considering it was discussing the landscape of a fast evolving subject area (namely, internet and its intermeshing with social life). Excellent exploration of ways in which we might balance the needs of free speech against the needs of privacy and would love to see Professor Solove update the book with more recent developments, his thoughts on the current landscape, and an evaluation of how courts have treated people's rights vis a vis the internet.

topical but failed to convert

Got the book because i believe the issue of internet reputation is gaining relevance... but the book struggled to grab me.