Book Club Experience - The Chaos Machine

The book that I had read for the club that I participated in was The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World by Max Fisher.

This book was something that felt like reading a history book of recent events. It was a long read and was a struggle to get through, though I was able to finish the book in time for the book club. It was also interesting as to how everyone interacted with each other. The conversation felt very productive since everyone felt familiar with each other since they had been meeting for a while, and I am very new to the group.

Who is asking the questions, is there a leader or do people take turns?

There was a librarian leader to help lead and guide the discussion, but mainly she had included her thoughts and guided the conversation to keep it on track with the book, as well as letting others talk about their real-life experiences with technology and the platforms trying to garner are use time on them. Mainly, we answered her questions that she created for us to answer, although it was all done through natural conversation progression, and everyone each had an opportunity to talk since the leader would try to prompt someone else to talk if they hadn’t taken the opportunity to talk yet during the conversation.

If there is a leader, does the leader answer the questions as well or let the attendees respond first?

The leader allowed all the attendees to answer the questions and included what they thought while talking since this book was mainly about how we connected and felt with the book since technology heavily connects our lives. The questions that she had come up with were also related to how we felt, as well as helping us understand that book better about the different ways that social media has affected our lives, as well as the lives of many others around the world.

What type of questions are asked? Any involving just yes or no answers?

The main questions were to try to prompt conversation and to have a talk about social media, how it affects each person individually, and how it can change how we as humans exist in this world. All the questions involved more prompting to add to the conversation and were never left with just a yes or no answer.

Do all attendees actively participate?

The leader tried to make sure that everyone had an opportunity to communicate. Everyone had spoken during the meeting, but the leader would try to prompt the quieter people to add more to the conversation to add more perspective from themselves about the book and social media in general. Having several different people from all different age ranges certainly helped to give perspective, and being the youngest one there, I talked about how I grew up with social media. It was better since everyone was active and willing to talk and have an easy-flowing conversation between all the participants without anyone getting angry or shouting.

Do any attendees swoop in and steal all the spotlight?

Some of the participants had more to say than others, but it was a relatively balanced conversation. About two to three had talked more about their experiences and the book than the others, but everyone still had the opportunity to talk and communicate with one another.

What is the atmosphere of the discussion, and where is it taking place?

The atmosphere of the discussion was super warm and welcoming, even with a topic as tough as social media and how it affects the human mind and the world we live in. The club took place at the library in one of the conference rooms, a bit more secluded and warmer. Overall, it was a nice and comfortable atmosphere that anyone would feel inclined to participate in without feeling like they are necessarily being judged by others, but willing to be heard and understood to the best of their abilities.

Are snacks or drinks provided?

There weren’t any snacks or drinks provided, but one of the club members had come in with a bunch of cookies that she had baked with her fiancé. They were really good, but not many others took that many cookies. She went home with most of the cookies she had brought. It seems that this club doesn’t do food all that much.

What types of books does this book club normally discuss?

The book club I participated in discusses many different kinds of books. They talk about fiction, nonfiction, and young adult books. They try to have several different kinds of books to make the experience of the book club more interesting by offering something new and exciting each month. This is likely so they can expand and include others who are more inclined to read a specific kind of book and to help them find new people in the community who also like to read the same kind of books as them.