{"title":"Samuel Woolley","description":"\u003cp\u003eSamuel Woolley’s works explore the intersection of technology, society, and politics, offering deep insights into how digital tools shape public discourse and influence consensus. With a focus on the impact of automation and algorithms, his books challenge readers to consider the consequences of technological advances in modern governance and communication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for those interested in \u003cem\u003eEducation \u0026amp; Reference\u003c\/em\u003e as well as \u003cem\u003ePolitics \u0026amp; Current Affairs\u003c\/em\u003e, Woolley’s titles provide a thorough analysis of the mechanisms behind information control and manipulation, inviting reflection on the future of democratic participation in an increasingly automated world.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bots-by-nick-monaco-9781509543595","title":"Bots","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBots\u003c\/em\u003e – automated software applications programmed to perform tasks online – have become a feature of our everyday lives, from helping us navigate online systems to assisting us with online shopping. Yet, despite enabling internet users, bots are increasingly associated with disinformation and concerning political intervention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this ground-breaking book, Monaco and Woolley offer the first comprehensive overview of the history of bots, tracing their varied applications throughout the past sixty years and bringing to light the astounding influence these computer programs have had on how humans understand reality, communicate with each other, and wield power. Drawing upon the authors' decade of experience in the field, this book examines the role bots play in politics, social life, business, and artificial intelligence. Despite bots being a fundamental part of the web since the early 1990s, the authors reveal how the socially oriented ones continue to play an integral role in online communication globally, especially as our daily lives become increasingly automated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis timely book is essential reading for students and scholars in Media and Communication Studies, Sociology, Politics, and Computer Science, as well as general readers with an interest in technology and public affairs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47362526642412,"sku":"9781509543595","price":37.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/12458203482725.jpg?v=1772888257"},{"product_id":"manufacturing-consensus-by-samuel-woolley-9780300251234","title":"Manufacturing Consensus","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAn in-depth exploration of social media and emergent technology that details the inner workings of modern propaganda\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUntil recently, propaganda was a top-down, elite-only system of communication control used largely by state actors. Today, as Samuel Woolley argues, social media has democratised propaganda, allowing nearly anyone to launch a fairly sophisticated, computationally enhanced, propaganda campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWoolley shows how social media, with its anonymity and capacity for automation, allows political groups to create the illusion of popularity through computational tools such as bots and human-driven efforts like sockpuppets—real people assuming false identities online—and partisan nano-influencers. These groups can either create a bandwagon effect by bringing the content into parallel discussions with other legitimate users or mould discontent for political purposes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on eight years of original international ethnographic research among the people who build, combat, and experience these propaganda campaigns, Woolley presents an extensive view of the evolution of computational propaganda. He offers a glimpse into the future and suggests pragmatic responses for policymakers, academics, technologists, and others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47425337262316,"sku":"9780300251234","price":71.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780300251234.jpg?v=1774768206"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/samuel-woolley.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}