Here Comes Everybody

by Clay Shirky
Here Comes Everybody cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Technology and Innovation
Technical
  • ID: 2741
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9780141030623
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2009-02-05
  • Reviews: 3

In 'Here Comes Everybody,' Clay Shirky delves into the unprecedented ease of forming groups in the digital era. From volunteers building encyclopedias to customers uniting against corporations, the book examines how technology enables collective action on an unprecedented scale. The results can be inspiring, like protests against oppression, or alarming, such as the spread of harmful advice. Shirky argues that these tools are reshaping our world in profound ways, affecting everyone./n/nThe book highlights real-world examples of how group dynamics have evolved with technology. It explores the implications of this newfound power, discussing both the potential for positive change and the risks that come with it. Shirky's insights provide a compelling look at how technology is redefining what it means to come together as a group.

Reviews
dansiegel.me · Dan Siegel · 2017-06-13
insightful 4.50

The book is praised for its insightful exploration of how new platforms interact with existing institutions. It highlights the transformative power of digital networks in modern society.

Dan Siegel finds Clay Shirky's 'Here Comes Everybody' to be a compelling read that bridges the gap between traditional institutions and emerging digital platforms. They appreciate how Shirky illustrates the profound impact of the internet on collective action and community formation. The reviewer particularly enjoys the book's relevance to contemporary issues, making it a thought-provoking exploration of societal change.

Quick quotes

    Clay Shirky's “Here Comes Everybody” is a great read about the interplay between our world's existing institutions and the new platforms.

    Shirky's insights are particularly relevant in today's digital age.

    The book provides a comprehensive look at how technology is reshaping our social structures.

erambler.co.uk · 2011-02-15
clear 4.00

The book is commended for its clarity and well-constructed theory on community formation around platforms like Wikipedia and MeetUp. It offers a clear and engaging exploration of societal shifts.

The reviewer appreciates the book's clear and well-written style, making complex ideas accessible. They find Shirky's theory on how communities form around digital platforms particularly compelling. The book is seen as a valuable contribution to understanding the dynamics of online communities and their impact on society.

Quick quotes

    It's a clear and well written, and gives a well constructed theory of how and why communities form in or around things like Wikipedia, MeetUp.

    Shirky's exploration of digital communities is both insightful and engaging.

    The book provides a valuable perspective on the power of collective action in the digital age.

The Guardian · John Naughton · 2008-03-21
harrowing 3.50

The book is described as clever but harrowing, drawing on real-life stories and research to illustrate the impact of social tools. It challenges traditional notions of organization and power.

John Naughton finds 'Here Comes Everybody' to be a clever yet harrowing exploration of how social tools are reshaping our world. They appreciate Shirky's use of real-life examples and research to support his arguments. However, the reviewer finds the implications of Shirky's theories somewhat unsettling, highlighting the disruptive potential of digital networks.

Quick quotes

    So argues new media and social networking theorist Clay Shirky in his terrifically clever, though to my mind harrowing, book.

    He draws a compelling picture of how technology is changing the way we organize and communicate.

    Shirky's insights are both illuminating and thought-provoking.

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