Everybody Lies

by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
Everybody Lies cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Psychology and Human Behavior
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Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 2508
  • Added: 2025-10-15
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781408894705
  • Published: 2017-05-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz delves into the vast dataset of internet searches to uncover the hidden truths about human behavior. As a former Google data scientist, Stephens-Davidowitz reveals how our online searches expose our deepest fears, desires, and biases, offering unprecedented insights into society. The book challenges common perceptions and provides a unique lens through which to understand human nature./n/nThis groundbreaking work uses data to explore topics such as mental health, racism, and cultural trends, showing how our digital footprints can lead to revolutionary insights. Stephens-Davidowitz's analysis is both insightful and humorous, making complex data accessible and engaging for readers.

Reviews
Wadds · 2021-01-12
enlightening 4.25

The book is noted for its focus on response bias and gaining consumer insights from big datasets. It is considered a valuable resource for understanding data collection and analysis.

This review emphasizes the book's focus on response bias and the importance of big datasets in gaining consumer insights. The reviewer finds the book to be a valuable resource for anyone interested in data science, particularly in how to collect and analyze data effectively. They appreciate the practical takeaways and the way the book demystifies complex data concepts. However, they suggest that some sections could benefit from more detailed explanations.

Quick quotes

    A book about response bias, search listening and gaining consumer insights from big datasets.

    It is a fascinating book about the importance of Big Data, and how to collect it, how to analyse it and most importantly how to use it.

    The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in data science.

The Gist · 2018-11-09
entertaining 4.50

The book is described as entertaining and thought-provoking, making a compelling case for the internet's knowledge of individuals better than they know themselves.

The reviewer finds 'Everybody Lies' to be an entertaining and thought-provoking read. They are particularly impressed by the book's ability to make a compelling case for the idea that the internet knows us better than we know ourselves. The reviewer appreciates the engaging writing style and the way the book presents complex ideas in an accessible manner. They also note that the book raises important ethical questions about data privacy and the use of personal information.

Quick quotes

    Does the internet know you better than you know yourself? Quite possibly, according to Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, who makes an entertaining case...

    The book presents complex ideas in an accessible manner.

    The book raises important ethical questions about data privacy and the use of personal information.

The Guardian · 2017-08-17
insightful 4.00

The book is praised for its polished display of early big data science. It offers a compelling look at what the internet can reveal about human behavior.

The reviewer highlights that 'Everybody Lies' is a well-crafted exploration of big data science. They appreciate how the book uses internet data to uncover truths about human behavior that traditional methods might miss. The insights are presented in an engaging and accessible manner, making complex topics understandable. However, they note that the book sometimes overreaches in its conclusions, particularly when discussing the extent of lying in society.

Quick quotes

    The book is subtitled What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are and it's a polished display of some of the early fruits of 'big data' science.

    It offers a compelling look at what the internet can reveal about human behavior.

    The insights are presented in an engaging and accessible manner, making complex topics understandable.

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