Technology is Not the Problem

‘Timandra Harkness – principled, courageous, and original – forces us to confront our own ambition and insecurity, arguing that we can only make sense of technology by first knowing ourselves.’

- Michael Blastland, broadcaster, originator of BBC Radio 4’s More or Less and author of The Tiger That Isn’t

‘Interesting and informative but also enticing and highly addictive. No, that’s not the internet. It’s this book. I recommend you read it.’

- Stephen Senn, statistician and author of Dicing with Death

‘A fresh and fascinating perspective. In a world where we are told we are increasingly powerless, Harkness reminds us of our own agency.’

- Jenny Kleeman, author of The Price of Life and Sex Robots & Vegan Meat

‘Timandra Harkness provides a balanced and insightful view of how technology is changing our world, packed with unexpected vignettes and sharp observations, that is a pleasure to read.’

- Stian Westlake, Executive Chair, Economic and Social Research Council

‘An eloquent and invigorating antidote to amnesia, putting today’s technologies in their cultural and historical place—and insisting that the great questions of a digital age remain intransigently human.’

- Tom Chatfield, author and tech philosopher

‘Great book: a very bold and insightful attempt to grapple with the strangely unexpected social confusion we are experiencing in the 21st century!’

- Matt Ridley, author of How Innovation Works

‘Absolutely captivating … Equal parts illuminating and empowering, [this] is essential reading’

- Pete Etchells, author of Unlocked

‘An urgent, must-read for anyone striving for a nuanced analysis of the complex relationship between technology and society [and] ultimately seeking liberation.’

- Tiffany Jenkins, author and broadcaster, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s The History of Secrecy

‘A riveting analysis of our uneasy relationship with the digital world, and a must-read for anyone who both loves and hates their smartphones.’

- Andrew Doyle, author of The New Puritans

Timandra Harkness is a broadcaster, statistician, mathematician and who came to science through comedy. Her BBC documentaries include Data, Data Everywhere and Personality Politics, and she is a regular on Radio 4. Timandra also regularly writes about data, algorithms and our relationship with technology for publications including The Sunday Times, Guardian, Evening Standard and Wired.