Joanne McNeil unpacks 30 (plus) years of internet history with the sober pragmatism of a historian and the charisma of a seasoned storyteller. “Lurking” isn’t a history textbook, or at least, it doesn’t read like one. It isn’t a memoir either, yet it feels very personal. McNeil effectively contextualizes the chaotic history of one of the most transformative forces in contemporary times. The Internet.

The book covers a span of three decades worth of history since the early days of BBSes, which hosted early local online bulletin boards, to the raise of the social media giants that fuel their innovation with corporatism, and owe very little accountability to their users. The very same users who they capitalize with every click, post, hashtag, or like. After all, everyone understands by now, if you aren’t paying for it then you’re the product. ...