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Too Much Information
Book

Too Much Information

Understanding What You Don't Want to Know

MIT Press, 2020 plus...


Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Eye Opening
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Harvard Law professor and prolific author Cass R. Sunstein has the experience to address information disclosure and its impact, having helped oversee federal regulations in the Obama administration. Policy makers insist citizens are entitled to information, but Sunstein argues that a policy’s impact on human welfare can outweigh the right to know. Unpacking a stunningly complex query with few definitive answers, he explores Facebook’s value, honesty in imparting medical knowledge and other thorny issues. He provides thoughtful, measured and informed insights and observations. Sunstein presents all sides of the information disclosure issue and then leaves you to draw your own conclusions.

 

Take-Aways

  • The debate about mandatory information disclosure laws raises complex moral and practical questions.
  • The information conundrum: too much, not enough or who cares?
  • Government disclosures should prioritize citizens’ welfare.

About the Author

Harvard Law School professor Cass R. Sunstein has written many books, including Conformity: The Power of Social Influences; How Change Happens; The World According to Star Wars and This is Not Normal: The Politics of Everyday Expectations. He co-authored Nudge with Richard Thaler. Sunstein served as the administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Obama administration from 2009 to 2012.


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    H. C. 1 year ago
    The part about Facebook is very bad research. People who sign up for Mechanical Turk need money to begin with, their data is biased