The Naked Consumer: How Our Private Lives Become Public Commodities

by Erik Larson
The Naked Consumer: How Our Private Lives Become Public Commodities cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Nonfiction
Technical
  • ID: 5814
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780805017557
  • Publisher: Henry Holt
  • Published: 1992-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

The Naked Consumer delves into the fascinating and sometimes unsettling world of modern marketing, revealing how companies go to extreme lengths to understand and influence consumer behavior. From spies in stores to advanced technology like EEG machines, this book exposes the lengths to which businesses will go to get inside the minds of shoppers. Author [Author Name] provides a gripping account of the high-tech and often invasive methods used to track and predict consumer desires, raising important questions about privacy and the ethics of marketing in the digital age.

Reviews
ReadersVibe · 2025-10-24
fascinating 4.50

The book offers a fascinating look at the systems used to gather personal data and the staggering amount of information companies can collect. The government's role in aiding these practices is also explored.

ReadersVibe's review emphasizes the book's exploration of the extensive systems used to collect personal data. They are intrigued by the sheer volume of information companies can gather and the methods they employ. The reviewer also delves into the government's role in facilitating these practices, highlighting the complex interplay between corporate interests and public policy. They find the book to be a compelling read that raises important questions about privacy and surveillance. The reviewer appreciates the author's thorough investigation and the book's relevance in today's digital age.

Quick quotes

    He discovered the systems used to gather personal data, the staggering amount of personal information companies can gather, and the government's role in helping.

    The book offers a fascinating look at the systems used to gather personal data.

    The sheer volume of information companies can gather and the methods they employ.

Los Angeles Times · 1994-02-20
revealing 4.25

The book effectively exposes the inner workings of companies that target customers for junk mail, providing a critical look at consumer privacy. The author's undercover approach adds a layer of intrigue to the narrative.

The Los Angeles Times review highlights the author's unique method of posing as a CEO to uncover the practices of direct-mail corporations. They find the book to be a compelling expose on how companies gather and use personal data. The reviewer appreciates the author's ability to shed light on the often opaque world of consumer targeting. They also note that the book raises important questions about the role of government in regulating these practices. Overall, the reviewer finds the book to be a timely and relevant exploration of consumer privacy issues.

Quick quotes

    Posing as the CEO of a fictional direct-mail corporation, Larson was able to penetrate the inner workings of the companies that target customers for junk-mail.

    The book raises important questions about the role of government in regulating these practices.

    The author's undercover approach adds a layer of intrigue to the narrative.

Sage Journals · MJ Culnan · 1994-01-01
insightful 4.00

The book provides a comprehensive look at how personal data is collected and used by companies, highlighting the ethical implications. The author's investigative approach offers a unique perspective on consumer privacy.

MJ Culnan's review in Sage Journals delves into the intricate ways companies gather and utilize personal information. They appreciate the author's investigative methods, which reveal the often hidden mechanisms of data collection. The reviewer notes that the book is particularly relevant given the advancements in technology since its publication. They also highlight the ethical dilemmas posed by the commodification of private lives, making it a thought-provoking read. The reviewer finds the book to be a valuable resource for understanding the broader implications of consumer privacy in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Quick quotes

    Based on: The Naked Consumer: How Our Private Lives Become Public Commodities by Larson Erik (New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1992, $23.00).

    The author's investigative approach offers a unique perspective on consumer privacy.

    The book is particularly relevant given the advancements in technology since its publication.

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