i hate the internet by Jarett KobekMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is not the kind of book I'd normally read...little in the way of plot, choppy writing style, not much action or character growth. But there is plenty to think about, so I enjoyed it nonetheless.
i hate the internet is largely a rant about the many imperfections in modern society, with special focus on how those imperfections tend to benefit white straight rich men over everyone who doesn't fit one of those four categories. The Internet is a primary target but far from the only one. Kobek pokes at everything, from religion to capitalism to despotic oppression to science fiction to music to celebrity. He shines the worst possible light on whatever he deems unfair, wrong, or just unlikable.
A few examples:
"...all revolutions happened because everyone everywhere wanted to be Americans."
"Wars were giant parties for the ruling elites, who sometimes thought it would be great fun to make the poor kill each other."
"A fluency with Black culture would attract more advertisers. Actual Black people would scare advertisers."
Those are some clean examples, of which there are not many...lots of profanity and tons of sexual references. But most of it is either humorous or thought-provoking, which makes it worthwhile in my view.
Now, this is not to say that I agree with all of what i hate the internet describes about our world. Far from it - I think much of what is said takes the imperfections in history and/or society, and blows them all out of proportion. But it's all entertaining and thought-provoking, whether you agree with how he describes something or not.
