Mindmasters: The Data-Driven Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior

Thought-provoking ideas combined with a very clever take on the science of predicting human behavior using data (which some say is the most critical topic to our society nowadays). I truly recommend this book to everyone. As a bonus for myself, I also listened to the audiobook. Very accessible and recommended as well. The book contains many interesting stories about the ways data are being used to predict personality traits and an exciting discussion on how we should use data wisely in the era of AI. I particularly liked the access to the behind-the-scenes of some of the most intriguing data stories of recent years (Cambridge Analytica, Apple privacy, and others). I also liked the fact that the book deviates from the classic 'gloom and doom' narrative that the data collected about us are always used in a bad way. The book actually offers some concrete use cases that can _better_ our world using smart algorithm applications (how to save more money, how to mitigate mental disorders, etc). The book is based on the author's decade-long research on the ways by which data can be used to understand us intimately. The gist: our digital footprint can be a gateway to uncovering our psyche. It explains the science in a very pragmatic and tangible way. The book is divided to 3 parts. Part 1 explains how data can be used to understand us (at times, better than we understand ourselves). Part 2 then details the risks and opportunities afforded to us by the new wave of highly personalized targeting. Part 3 talks about how we can use the data and algorithms generated these days to make our lives better. It beautifully balances optimism with a sobering view of our future. I particularly loved how the book explains the science in a very pragmatic and tangible way. I cannot recommend it enough.

I've always been a fan of Sandra's work but was blown away by her ability to take what could feel like complex topics and to write one of the most compelling books of our time. We live in a world where our online and offline realities are combining. We spend so much time online, there’s this question of who’s in control: man or machine? Sandra so beautifully offers insights into our minds through our data, helping us understand what our digital footprint says about us with a unique POV on the future of privacy. I was fascinated to read about her work studying the digital breadcrumbs we leave behind -- our facebook likes, what we post on instagram, our google searches, smartphone sensors, our GPS -- and what those digital puzzle pieces could predict about us (for better and for worse). What I loved about the book was her ability to ask nuanced questions about a topic that could be oversimplified and somewhat dystopian. I walked away inspired to look more at a fundamental question she raises: how do we set up a world where our data can work for us and not against us? It's one of the most important questions of our time, and I'm glad some of the best are asking it. I'd highly recommend this book! It also has FASCINATING tidbits (ie the average person generates about six gigabytes of data an hour…. Makes 35,000 decisions a day!)

Great book for a great price.

Excellent book, although it ended up veering off in a direction in which I don't have that much interest. I picked it up up because of its focus on virtual "psychological targeting". I was thinking about it from my perspective as a behavioral threat assessment professional and how much online activity influences and/or reflects the escalatory behaviors of a person of interest. In the end, it was a good read, written in an easily digested conversational tone. I only wish the author had gone into more detail about psychological targeting in this context and provided a more substantial mix of both real and speculative scenarios to illustrate her points. I particularly liked the contrasting indicators of "claimed identity" (the persona an individual is attempting to project through their online activity) and "behavioral residue" (the indicators of an individual's true self that manifest in quick comments and posts - sometimes deleted afterwards - that are put online without the same care as claimed identify posts in reaction to an incident, event, or someone else's online activity). Again, I would have found more analytic discussion of these points of value. Of course, the concept of psychological targeting isn't new, and I think this book would make an excellent paired read with Cialdini's classic "Influence: Science and Practice". The difference is, as the author of this book notes, that previously psychological targeting was more general, and aimed at mass audiences or specific demographics. In today's big-data world, psychological targeting can be effectively leveraged to influence individuals. The last third of her narrative was focused on data privacy, what that means, and a thoughtful discussion of how people can work together towards effecting solutions that minimize corporate exploitation of the data of individuals and return control of a person's data to that person. Although I'm well aware of these issues and definitely support her position on this, my focus in reading this book was on how her concepts of virtual psychological targeting can be leveraged in BTAM. In that, it was a net positive. This is a recommended read for anyone.

A thoughtful and interesting read

Book is not particularly technical, but is very well written. Engaging and intelligent author. Some great points for entertaining at parties. Entertaining in terms of "scaring the living bejeezus out of Facebook users" kind of way.

BIG DATA, menschliches Verhalten und zukünftige Lösungsansätze nicht nur zu erklären, sondern in einer einzigartigen Art und Weise verständlich zu machen, ist Sandra Matz in fantastischer Weise gelungen. Ein MUSS für alle, die neue und bahnbrechende Methoden von BIG Data und ihre Einflüsse in die menschliche Psyche verstehen wollen. Dr. Matz gelingt es in ihrer Forschung, Zusammenhänge von BIG DATA und menschlicher Psyche nicht nur zu erkennen, sondern sie auch methodisch und präzise zu beschreiben. Das Buch erklärt anschaulich, dass dieses Thema wirklichen JEDEN von uns betrifft! Danke für neue und gewaltige Einblicke in dieses Thema und der brillanten Art und Weise, die Einblicke fesselnd, verständlich und klar zu Papier zu bringen.

Dr. Matz shares a witty, insightful, and critically important perspective on one of the biggest topics facing society today - the digital footprints that we leave online and how they can be used for and against us. I will definitely be changing some of my practices after hearing about her important research and points. You must read this to be prepared to keep your data and mind safe in the modern world!!

Es hat richtig Spaß gemacht, dieses Buch zu lesen. Es ist eine tolle Mischung aus fundierten wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen und dem Bezug zum realen Leben - humorvoll geschrieben. So kann sich auch ein "Normalo" in der diffusen Welt der Wissenschaftler ein Bild von der Thematik machen. Ich kann es nur weiterempfehlen!