Broadcast

A mash up of Black Mirror and The Circle; I loved this book. The pace was fast and I did not want to stop reading until I reached the conclusion.

David Callow is your usual vlogger type; self obsessed and out for all he can get especially the adoration of thousands. When he is given the opportunity to have his subconscious thoughts streamed instantly it doesn't take long for him to agree. MindCast works via a chip which is inserted into his brain and after this simple procedure nothing David does will ever be private again.

Really tuning into today's obsession with social media, this book gave me the chills.

David Callow is an airheaded prick of a vlogger who's amassed millions of fans by filming his every (banal) move. With his popularity waning (even pointedly sticking his head out of a taxi window doesn't get him much attention from teenage girls anymore), his manager pushes him to accept a lucrative opportunity offered by tech mogul Xan Brinkley. The proposal is so extreme that even attention-addicted David has trouble accepting it: a microchip implanted in his brain will essentially broadcast his thoughts and feelings to the world 24/7. One drink-and-drug-fuelled night later, however, David wakes up to find he's uploaded an intoxicated video telling the world about, and agreeing to, the offer. With that, he becomes the first ever star of MindCast, 'the biggest show on Earth'.

It's not difficult to guess where this is going, but Broadcast is fast-paced and exciting, an incredibly quick and fun read. It worked on me like a literary earworm: once I'd started it, the story wriggled under my skin and I couldn't stop thinking about it until I'd finished. More than anything, it reminded me of a particular type of old-fashioned ghost/horror story – the type that delights in delivering a sticky end to an unpleasant protagonist. Loved the gutsy ending. Thoroughly enjoyable.

I finished this book minutes ago, and I keep flicking through to make sure I didn't skip an epilogue or extra chapter because I want to know MORE. Broadcast by Liam Brown was absolutely addicting. It's been described as "Inception meets Black Mirror for the YouTube generation", and its rapid pace kept me immersed in this thrilling story.

A major question in this book is what lengths would you take to earn global fame and more money than you could imagine? It's an appealing offer that popular vlogger and video content creator David Callow received by a controversial tech company. All he would have to do is undergo a minor surgery that would insert a small chip through his skull, which would enable every one of his thoughts to be instantly streamed to anyone in the world.

Things go well at first - his videos were never more widely viewed, and people recognize him much more. But things take a turn quickly. He's lectured by a restaurant chef for thinking unfavorable thoughts about his meal (and therefore broadcasted to millions), he's bombarded by people that want ad space, he even finds himself held hostage. He questions who's on his side, and he promptly learns his new super-stardom wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

Broadcast by Liam Brown is satire about the YouTube generation. It follows David Callow, a vlogger who has around a million fans. His manager, Sarah, and him are invited to a meeting with Xan Brinkley where they discuss implanting a microchip into David so that they can broadcast every single one of his thoughts. This obviously causes a lot of drama and issues with the people around David.

In the beginning, it was a little slow for me because it was a lot of explaining how the chip works and what everything was like for David, but once I got into the pace of everything, I was hooked. This novel had a perspective on social media that I'm pretty sure everyone has had a thought of, but never really looked that deep into it. It shows how we can go too far and never have privacy again. It shows how invasive technology can be.

Wow, I've never read anything like this book before. The first thing that caught my attention was the description on NetGalley: "Inception meets Black Mirror for the YouTube generation."

I thought they were exaggerating. They weren't.

"Imagine a show where instead of droning endlessly to the camera about what you thought of a film, or what you ate for breakfast, or what you did at the weekend, we actually get to see it, right then and there. No lag. No delay. No clumsy descriptions. Just a direct feed, straight from your brain to the screen. Everything you’re thinking, live and uncut. A constant stream of content, all day and night – even when you’re asleep! Forget video blogging, dude. This is the next logical step. This is evolution. This is MindCast.’"

See?! Crazy, right?

I just couldn't put it down. Awesome read!

Broadcast by Liam Brown

Pros: terrifying yet plausible premise

Cons: things go predictably badly

Vlogger David Callow meets with the creator of OptimiZer, Xan Brinkley, and is offered the staring role in a new entertainment program. The show is called MindCast and will broadcast what David’s thinking, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

David is a fairly apathetic character when the book starts. He doesn’t really care about anything other than the number of views and likes his videos get, barely paying attention during the meeting that changes his life. He’s not particularly satisfied with the way his life is going, though he projects an image for his fans of a life that is fun and glamorous. So it’s interesting seeing him come to a slow realization of what having his thoughts projected to the world means with regards to his privacy, his safety, and his sense of self.

I was shocked by how few questions David had about the program. While he doesn’t seem to care about his privacy in general, he never asks how things like going to the bathroom or having sex would be dealt with. David is oblivious to the potential downfalls of having everyone able to see his thoughts at all times, so the conversations that point out how this technology can be used or abused are interesting. Even more interesting are the early unexpected side-effects, some of which I hadn’t considered.

While the main plot of the book is fairly predictable, the book’s premise, that some people can be so enamoured of themselves that they’ll give up all privacy in return for fame, is believable. And the results of such an act, are as horrific as you can imagine. You feel a real sense of dread as the book progresses, for a variety of reasons.

It’s a fairly short book and is an entertaining cautionary story.

Spider Robinson explored the idea of what it really would mean to hear other people's thoughts in his Callahan books and how agonizing the cacophony of unbidden thoughts could become, how are there things no one would want to know - not really. Broadcast, a fun short novel, is the flip side: what happens when you broadcast all of your thoughts and dreams 24/7 and can never turn it off. Broadcast like a live feed continuously running. Sure you might be the most famous person on earth, but what would it be like for the whole world to hear all your innermost thoughts? What about privacy? Could you really have friendships when your true thoughts are constantly broadcast? Could you have a date? A relationship? Could you function in public? This is a terrific easy-to-read novel that seems pedestrian at first but really sneaks up on you. Thank you to Legend Press for an advance copy.

Formatted review available at Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2093410168

Popular YouTube vlogger David Callow spends his entire day broadcasting his daily activities to his adoring fans. One day, tech mogul Xan Brinkley invites David to his offices and offers him the chance of a lifetime. Instead of spending his days creating content, they can install a microchip into David's skull that will stream his thoughts directly to his subscribers. David is cautious at first, but he accepts after an acquaintance bruises his ego. The chance to gain more followers is seductive, but he soon realizes there are more sinister plans in the works.

Self-involved David has always shared the mundane details of his life with his fans, but joining the MindCast project takes his oversharing to the next level. There's a whole new set of challenges and pressures when his unfiltered thoughts are constantly streaming to millions of people. He grows suspicious of the technology when the screen reflects something that he's not actually thinking; of course, by the sees something on screen it is what he is thinking! The novelty of MindCast quickly wears off and the weight of being constantly watched makes him feel imprisoned. He gets frustrated interacting with people in real life because they focus more on his MindCast stream than him. He wonders if there's any point to his existence if everyone already knows his thoughts before he opens his mouth, but he's also doubtful that he has a purpose if no one's watching. He's addicted to "the warm rush" that likes and comments give him. Even in the direst circumstances, he can't help but strike a pose for the camera or think about how many people are watching. All the attention makes him feel important, but is he just another cog in the machine? Are his followers really that devoted to him or is he just a temporary distraction until the next big thing comes along?

Sometimes things really are too good to be true! This story raises interesting questions about the place of technology in our lives. It has improved many aspects of our lives, but there are also impulses that need to be kept in check. In this day-and-age, how many of us haven't sacrificed privacy in exchange for a free service? It may seem like no big deal now, but having your entire life on public display can have serious implications. The characters were flat and the last three parts felt a little slow, but Broadcast is an entertaining, plot-driven story that I read in one sitting. I loved the ending! Read those terms and conditions, people! ;)

Thank you to Netgalley, Legend Press and Liam Brown for the digital copy I was provided in return for a fair review.

Broadcast by Liam Brown has 288 pages and was published in 2017 by Legend Press.

David Callow is an immensely popular vlogger that has amassed a huge following simply by posting videos of his everyday life. He is not particularly witty or interesting. In fact, he is a bit immature. And yet, the charm that attracts people to watch his videos is that he is just an ordinary guy-next-door. Due to his success as a vlogger, he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime. Technology has advanced to the point that a chip can be implanted and people can automatically see his thoughts. Broadcast is the story of his experience with life-changing technology.

This novel is a fast-paced and plot-driven story with interesting societal implications. It has a Matrix meets The Truman Show kind of feel. Brown does raise some thought-provoking questions about advances in technology and the effects on society, such as privacy concerns, corporate manipulation through advertising and even isolation-induced mental illness.

Overall I enjoyed this book. Although, ultimately I felt that the ending was a bit rushed. This is one of those books that people are either going to love or hate and how they feel about the ending will be the deciding factor. I honestly did not enjoy the way Broadcast ended. However, the majority of the book was extremely entertaining which is why I rated it a 4.

If, like me, you believe that reality television and social media are, for the most part, terrible things contributing heavily to the decline of the moral fiber of society, you'll probably really enjoy this book. I think Black Mirror is one of the best and cleverest things to grace television in recent years, any book aspiring to that, nay, touting that on the front cover, is ambitious indeed. And Broadcast actually lives up to its boast. It tackles very important, very timely subjects like privacy, exposure, consent, free will and choices and does so in en entertaining yet thought provoking manner. David Callow is a star in a very modern meaning of the word, he is a pretty face with nonoffensive presence and no concept of privacy, who posts his unimportant vapid life on the internet for all to see, a vlogger extraordinaire. The fact that my spellcheck doesn't recognize vlogger as a word gives a glimmer of...but then again it's probably just a matter of time. David is given an opportunity of a lifetime, to broadcast his actual mind, live, 24/7, stream of consciousness style. Of course, seeking (more) fame and (more) money, he goes for it and sure enough...soon enough the set up turns out entirely more complicated and sinister than it originally seemed. Style wise this reads like a thriller, it's certainly paced like one, and yet at its soul, this book is a scifi story, a theoretically plausible scientific premise taken to an insane degree to shine the light on a socially relevant subject. And it succeeds greatly on both levels, the readers are meant to walk away entertained yet uneasy, contemplating the very nature of our reality in a perception controlled world. Awesome story. Enthusiastically recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

Broadcast is a Black Mirror-esque novel that follows Dave, a stagnating video blogger who is given the opportunity to boost his popularity with a new technology that broadcasts every thought and emotion in real time. However, his life is quickly turned into a nightmare as he slowly realizes how invasive this technology really is.

The themes of this book, surveilllance and privacy in the digital era, aren't very subtle. The opposing viewpoints get spelled out for the reader, often in the form of sweeping monologues. The plot is also relatively predicatble. Instead, the strengths of this book are in the horrific descent of madness Dave falls into as the story progresses. Most of this book is written in first person, which gives the reader an intimate connection with Dave.

The story begins slowly, with Dave not even getting the Mindcast inserted until about 35% of the way in. Even after that, it takes some time to get the plot rolling and to see the consequences of the Mindcast. The last quarter of the book was completely filled with action and was easily my favorite part. The last several scenes, to be, very reminiscent of a Black Mirror episode.

There were only two parts I really disliked about this book. Firstly, Dave himself was not a very sympathetic character, and this is remarked upon several times by other characters in the book. He's selfish, arrogant, and about as shallow as a puddle, personality. It is also because off those traits that the story can happen, but I can see many readers turned off because of it. I also didn't find one of the character motivations at the end very convincing, but I won't talk about that too much because of spoilers.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was an enjoyable read and an interesting take surveillance technology.

David is a social media star, a vlogger with a million subscribers and six hundred thousand followers. With a pretty face, inoffensive views and constant sunny, silly updates, David is the epitome of modern celebrity. But is it enough? How long can he stay on top? How long will his fame last?

When the technological genius that is Xan Brinkley wants to meet David to discuss his latest project, MindCast, David’s agent has him there straightaway. But what is MindCast and how does it threaten vlogging?

MindCast is exactly that, a visual and auditory projection on screen of what a person is thinking. With just a small operation to insert a chip into the base of a subject’s neck, their entire reality can be viewed almost instantaneously. What could possibly go wrong?

Without spoiling the plot, Broadcast explores exactly what could go wrong with this kind of invasive technology. Can you be free if your thoughts are no longer private, no longer your own, but broadcast to the world in an unending stream?

The idea behind Broadcast is compelling. Combined with clear and precise language as well as sharp dialogue, the novel really gets a hold of the reader, forcing you to put aside other daily tasks until it’s finished. Fun and scary, Broadcast is a page-turner with a very dark heart. Portend or not, Broadcast is one of those science fiction novels whose near future reveals problems modern readers ought not to ignore.

Liam Brown’s modern day Truman Show throws forward the reality show premise into the 21st century. What if your every thought was live streamed? David is already a vlogging star but his hits are on a slow decline. So when he is offered the opportunity to pioneer a new chip which allows you to live stream your thoughts it’s only a matter of time before his few morals lose the battle with his vanity and quest for increased exposure. What unfolds is a modern parable of the pervasiveness of technology in modern society as well as a slow unfolding of Dave’s life.
Reading like a thriller at times this has a central character which is not particularly likeable but during the book gradually becomes a more human character whose quest for fame becomes his own prison. Through Dave we can see many of the modern trends towards increased celebrity without merit and a hunger for appreciation and adoration from those we don’t know and never will. Oversharing could well be Dave’s middle name, although as things unfurl he starts to become aware of how those around him are affected by his actions and the damage that mass exposure can cause.
A thoroughly readable book at all times its almost cartoonish villain is such a believable silicon valley CEO that you can’t help but start thinking ‘what if’ throughout the book. Somewhere though the book morphs into something more than a parable and starts asking questions of what is authentic in a modern world.
Intriguing and thought provoking, Broadcast is a timely book and one which is enjoyable and well worth reading.

I really enjoyed this book. I read it in one go, could not put it down. There are some really great ideas in this book that will get the reader thinking. Unfortunately, I feel like some of those ideas are not explored enough.
The main character is quite unlikeable at first and doesn't seem to think twice about having his every thought streamed live to an audience of millions. He's very self-centered and doesn't value privacy (his or others) until problems arise. Issues that any human would at least consider and that are quite predictable, seem to have never crossed his mind. This made it really hard for me to feel any sympathy for him. Nevertheless, the story is told at a good pace and it holds the reader's interest until the very end.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. Nonetheless, I give my reviews honestly; the "free" isn't important to me. (I'd pay if I had to.) I'm interested in reading things pre-publication, which motivates me to give honest reviews.

Have you ever gotten an ego boost from sharing your awesome experience? What about when you shared what you were thinking and wished you hadn't?

Both are possible; what would happen if this happened all the time? This is the idea explored in Broadcast.

The book follows a person who is the epitome of a 2017 social-media / YouTube self-made "star". We might today call him a millennial "influencer", with a large social media following and a true passion for making his life consumable online by others.

This guy is given the opportunity to amp this ability up a level - so that much of the world is able to see, and consume vast quantities of his life. BUT, he does not have the ability to choose to limit what the world sees; they see his good, and his bad moments.

You can probably expect how this would turn out if this were all to the story; it's probable that this might not be awesome. BUT, what if you push this idea even further? THIS is the place where Broadcast distinguishes itself.

The book is well written; the language is sufficiently colorful, the story well-paced, and the ideas revealed in nice timing. I'll say that at the end, I was a little frustrated by what appears to be shallow intellectualism of the main character. I kind of wish he was simply a bit more interesting. BUT, I'm actually guessing that the very shallowness is likely intentional by the author, in order to make the point of the story. (I get it; I just don't like it ;-)

Based on my <a href="http://startupdj.com/book-rating-rules">book rating rules</a>, this gets three stars.

Loved it. 'Broadcast' covers similar ground to 'The Circle' but does it far more effectively and with greater style.

David Callow, rhymes with shallow, and really that is what he is. He's a celebrity due to his VLogging and online presence. All he thinks about is whether people are following or watching him.

Then on a hungover morning he is given the chance to be the next big thing. All he has to do is have a small chip slipped under the skin at the back of his neck and his experiences will be shared with the world.

It takes a while for the chip to 'learn' David and his thoughts, then suddenly his thoughts and experiences go viral. David becomes a major celebrity trending around the world. He loves it.

He loves it, until it starts to give him problems, but then he discovers that it's too late to change his mind, the naysayers were right!

A brilliant concept, scarey that it could happen too! Puts me off the idea of having a chip fitted, for sure. What might be called a 'cautionary tale'.

I really enjoyed reading this, I didn't even know where it was heading until the end. Really happy to recommend it to sci-fi and 'AI' fans (even though I wouldn't say that it was strictly AI.

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. NetGalley does not allow for paid reviews.

Broadcast is a fast-paced and fascinating exploration of the dangers of our social media-obsessed society. The world Brown describes is just one small step away from our own. In fact, MindCast is the next logical step in our social media journey — not even a short step away, but a shortcut to instant gratification.
I loved this most when it was talking about the philosophy of surveillance and celebrity culture, especially the celebrity of the everyday. David's character — vapid, self-obsessed, often thoughtless — was believable if not likeable. He barely thinks about the consequences of having the chip implanted: the decision is apparently made on a whim, spurred on by his competitive nature and desire for fame, but this was completely in-line with his character.
The ending is a worthy conclusion to an intriguing and well thought-out book.

3.5 Stars.
Those who know me know that I am a little bit addicted to YouTube. Every day in short gaps of time that I have (too short to grab a book), I watch short videos on YouTube. I like to think I know who all the biggest YouTube stars are and am subscribed to the biggest channels. Also my absolute FAVOURITE Netflix show is 'Black Mirror'. So when I read the words "YouTube" and "Black Mirror" in the description of this book I had to see what it was all about.

Minor online celebrity David is approached by a massive technology company to participate in an all new social media concept known as "MindCast". Every thought and feeling will be streamed live online. Non stop. Initially slightly reluctant, David decides to go ahead and have the MindCast brain implant. This is when things start getting crazy. He suddenly becomes the worlds biggest celebrity. But there is a price to pay for all the attention, and ZERO privacy with his thoughts.

Fantastic concept for a book! I loved that it was futuristic, but at the same time not too far off some sort of reality. It was interesting to see how the fame and constant lack of any kind of privacy got to David.

David himself is a good character. I would say he is quite dislikeable and vain, but throughout the book and the massive weight that is on his shoulders, you cant help feeling a bit sorry for the poor bugger. By the end of it though I was feeling a bit less sorry for him...

Ok, it was right up my alley, a great concept and I enjoyed the tale of the main character. So why did I not give it a higher rating? Part of the problem for me was the ending. It just didn't do it for me. I saw the twists coming, and when it ended I felt a bit let down.

The story itself flowed, but became a bit dry by the end. I wanted a bit more grit. A bit more oomph. A few things were left unexplained and I was left overall feeling slightly unsatisfied. HOWEVER, still a fun read!

Would I recommend Broadcast?

Yes I really enjoyed the subject matter. Although I didn't give it the highest rating, it was still enjoyable and if you like YouTube and social media, you will most probably enjoy it too!

Thanks to the author Liam Brown via NetGalley for a copy of Broadcast to review.

This book really got a stranglehold on me. It's a very timely tale of a narcissistic vligger who gets himself in over his head. Think a mash-up of Black Mirror and The Truman Show with the sinister company-worship of The Circle. Absolutely thrilling and fast-paced, it really leaves you guessing. I'd absolutely recommend this whole-heartedly.

Broadcast is a relatively brief and easy to read/digest outing. It is also highly entertaining. And more than a little terrifying. The premise is worrying plausible. The whole cautionary tale for those individuals who believe the rest of the world is deeply fascinated by the minutiae of their gnawingly average lives is chilling, sinister, uncomfortably close to the bone. But there's more here too, mind control of the populace by corporations - with adverts, anybody? It is genuinely thought provoking and distressingly relevant. Also the ending is a breeze block to the senses - downright frightening, bleak, stunningly hopeless, sickening. It is high praise indeed to say this novel put me in mind of Nineteen Eighty Four. There are similarities of theme and feel. And despite the negative adjectives in this review I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend. Thank you NetGalley for my copy.

I really enjoyed this book, It was completely different to what I usually read! I couldn't put it down, I loved it! It was like a modern take on Orwells 1984. Great read, definitely recommend!