Digital Inspiration

(with Geek Rating, 5 * = heavy)

The Internet, technology and marketing

WIKINOMICS How mass collaboration changes everything, D.Tapscott &
A Williams
Excellent review of where technology is at and where it is taking us,
focussing on the impact of Web 2.0 type innovations like wiki and user
generated content etc.
**
The Wisdom of Crowds Why the many are smarter than the few,
J.Suroweicki
Synopsis of theories about crowd behaviour, information flow and social
networks
***
Analog In, Digital Out Brendan Dawes on Interaction Design
Bit dated now but a great & quick read
***
The Age of Conversation Collaborative book written by 170 people on
social media and how businesses are getting involved. Lots of quick ideas.
Pretty essential
**
The Search How Google and Its Rivals Rewrote the Rules of Business and
Transformed Our Culture, John Battelle
Brilliant account of one of the most important areas of digital development

**
The Paradox of Choice Barry Schwartz
Great look at how too much choice has led to the ever increasing
complexity of everyday decisions
*
Predictably Irrational Dan Ariely
Great book on the subtle but powerful tricks that our minds play on us. For
anyone interested in marketing, this is essential reading.
*
The Future of Ideas Lawrence Lessig
Seminal assessment of the way technology affects society
***
We-Think: Mass innovation, not mass production Charles Leadbeater
Great primer on a more collaborative business model
***
Free: The Economics of Abundance and Why Zero Pricing Is Changing the
Face of Business Chris Anderson
Hot book on the new business models emerging since the proliferation of
digital media
**
The Cluetrain Manifesto Christopher Locke
Demystifies ideas about communicating on the internet
***
Free Culture The Nature and Future of Creativity, L Lessig
Good round-up of ideas around copyright, file sharing and the media
industries
***
Convergence Culture Where Old and New Media Collide, H.Jenkins
Maps a new territory as the media producer and consumers collide
***
Emergence The connected lives of ants, brains, cities and software,
S.Johnson
A fascinating study into collective intelligence
****
The Tipping Point How little things can make a big difference,
M.Gladwell
Great book on the science of behaviour with good examples of digital
trends
*
The Long Tail How endless choice is creating unlimited demand,
C.Anderson
Interesting look at how the internet is changing our behaviour & business
models
*
Cultural/Historical
Microserfs D.Coupland
Funny and pertinent look at the tech industry
***
Generation X D.Coupland
A modern Classic
*
Revolution in the Valley A.Hertzfeld
A great account for anyone interested in the early days of personal
computing
***
Where Wizards Stay Up Late The Origins of the Internet, K.Hafner
A brilliant account of the birth of the internet
****

Design/Usability
Analog In, Digital Out Brendan Dawes on Interaction Design, B. Dawes
Brilliant look at contemporary design issues
****
Designing Interactions B.Moggridge
Stories about designers who’ve changed the way people work in the
digital era
****
Things I have Learned in my Life so Far S Sagmeister
One of the most influential designers working today talks about design
and life
**

PODCASTS
Internet Marketing: Insider tips and advice for online marketing
**
TED Talks: great talks from prominent thinkers around the world
**
Little Atoms: thoughts based on the Enlightenment from Resonance FM.
**
Media Talk: on Guardian Unlimited
*
Shift Run Stop: Comedy, games, geekery and confectionary
****
Digital Planet: BBC World Service
***
TWIT: This Week in Tech. Good summary of the weeks tech news
***
Digg Nation: Kevin Rose and friends discuss hot stories from Digg that
week
**