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Who Can You Trust?

How Technology Brought Us Together – and Why It Could Drive Us Apart

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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Who Can You Trust? by Rachel Botsman, read by Caroline Baum.

Nominated for the Business Book Awards 'Embracing Change' category

If you can't trust those in charge, who can you trust?

From government to business, banks to media, trust in institutions is at an all-time low. Widespread corruption, elitism and economic disparity have led to a worldwide upsurge of anti-establishment movements. But this isn't the age of distrust - far from it.

In this revolutionary book, world-renowned trust expert Rachel Botsman reveals that we are at the tipping point of one of the biggest social transformations in human history. A new world order is emerging: we have lost faith in brands, leaders and systems, but millions of people every day rent their home to total strangers on AirBnB, exchange cryptocurrency online, or get in the car of an unknown Uber driver. This is the age of distributed trust; a paradigm shift driven by new technologies that are rewriting the rules of an all-too-human relationship.

If we are to benefit from this radical transformation, it is vital that we understand the new mechanics of how trust is built, managed, lost and repaired. In Who Can You Trust?, Botsman provides a detailed map of this uncharted landscape - and explores what's next for humanity.

 Future Studies History & Culture Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Psychology & Interactions Social Sciences Sociology Technology & Society Technology Business Capitalism

Critic reviews

Beautifully-written . . . the thesis is completely compelling. This is an important book (Andy Haldane, Chief Economist, Bank of England)
This is that admirable and all too rare book that gives you "an idea to think with" that helps to put new things in place: from Brexit, Donald Trump, and Blockchain to Facebook and your discontents. Who Can You Trust is a primer for a new world that sets you up to be a better citizen, consumer, and parent. In the new world of decentralized trust you need to think about who you trust, why you trust, and what that really means for what kind of new society we are building. A beautifully written, clear eyed book...I learned so much. About so many things I wanted to know. So quickly (Sherry Turkle)
Profound . . . will cause you to think deeply about your business, your relationships and your life (Don Tapscott, bestselling author of 16 books, including 'Blockchain Revolution')
Trust affects everything - from neighbourliness and shopping to democracy. This fascinating and well-researched study of the shifting tides of trust shows both the power of new technological solutions and the often surprising problems they bring in their wake. Every reader will gain new insights into one of the great issues of our time (Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive, NESTA)
A timely and accessible framework for understanding what trust is, how it works, why it matters and how it is evolving. It is an important primer to the obstacles and opportunities we face as a society if we are to repair and redefine trust across socioeconomic, political and cultural divides. The stakes are high. (Rebecca MacKinnon)
Extremely thought-provoking . . . a must-read for anyone interested in how the world works - and will work in the future (Will Dean, co-founder and CEO of Tough Mudder)
Some people can educate and others can entertain; in Who Can You Trust, Rachel Botsman does both. Read it for insight or escape as it takes you on both journeys (John Eales, most successful captain in the history of Australian rugby)
Thrilling. Brilliantly exposes the central paradox of the IT revolution - that it connects us while keeping us apart. Rachel Botsman encourages us to take responsibility for the kind of world we want to live in, and to preserve society's most fragile asset: trust (Hugh Mackay, Social Scientist and best-selling author of sixteen books)
Timely, lucid and beautifully written. This is one of the most important books you'll read this year (Richard Glover, Columnist, Sydney Morning Herald, ABC Radio Broadcaster)
This book perfectly walks the reader through the past, present, and future of trust as we know it. Rachel Botsman's expertise on this topic is unmatched. It's an absolute must-read for business leaders and everyday consumers alike (Nick Shapiro, Global Head of Trust & Risk Management, Airbnb and former Deputy CIA Deputy Chief of Staff)
All stars
Most relevant
This book goes from talking about facebook to politics, from blockchain to silkroad and dark web! And most importantly the issue with citizen rating/scoring system in China. Great book!

Well written! A must read!

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This is a fantastic book and an incredibly thought provoking study of trust and the way it is developing in the modern digital world. How we build trust with people we never see and how we rely on the opinions of others to make choices of our own. In fact if you decide to get this book as a result of my review then you may find this book a fascinating commentary on your behaviour!

Silk Road to block chain

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Great book. Botsman makes her case convincingly and with fascinating examples. As technology and our resulting behaviour is moving so fast in this area, it's an impressive feat that Botsman's research constantly feels finger-on-the-pulse and never dated. You will be left thinking about this book for weeks after. That said, Botsman doesn't present a clear solution to some of the more damning futures she predicts for us here (probably because there isn't one) which leaves the final tone of the book a little pessimistic.
Overall narration is good and picks up on some of the anecdotal humour in Botsman's writing, but I really felt like she was trying to put on a Chinese accent when reading quotes from Jack Ma and others(?!).

Fascinating and thought provoking

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