Uncanny Valley by Anna Wiener
"Uncanny Valley" is a memoir by Anna Wiener, detailing her experiences working in the tech industry during the height of Silicon Valley's boom. Wiener recounts her journey from a low-level publishing job in New York to a well-paid position at a data analytics startup in San Francisco. Along the way, she grapples with the ethical implications of the industry's obsession with data collection and the lack of diversity and accountability in tech culture. Wiener's book offers a critical perspective on the tech industry's impact on society and the personal toll it takes on those who work within it.
The 5272nd greatest book of all time
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Total Points: 58
This book was first published in 2020
3 Lists
- score: 26 -- Ezra Klein Show's Most Recommended Books - 2024 (Weight: 100)
- score: 16 -- The 10 Best Books Through Time - Yearly Book Award (Weight: 79)
- score: 15 -- The Greatest Tech Books of All Time - 2023 (Weight: 51)