# Means of Control by Byron Tau

4 Hacker News commenters recommended Means of Control by Byron Tau and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 4 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** People recommend it for a clear, in-depth picture of how the surveillance state works today.

## Why people recommend it

- Deepens understanding of surveillance (2 comments): "I would recommend “Means of Control” for a more clear picture of how the surveillance state works today." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49393193)) "this book opened my eyes to even more goings on" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46544451))
- In-depth coverage of the topic (2 comments): "The book "Means of Control" by Byron Tau covers this in great depth." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46840243)) "For a deep dive into the topic, I will recommend the book" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47528844))
- Strongly recommended, even to skeptics (2 comments): "Read Surveillance Valley by Yasha Levine and Means of control by Byron Tau if you want to learn more." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47838624)) "Can't recommend these books enough for anyone who is skeptical of the above claim." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47773859))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [The Cuckoo's Egg by Cliff Stoll](https://hackerapproved.com/p/cuckoo-s-egg.md): 40 recommend
- [Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman](https://hackerapproved.com/p/amusing-ourselves-to-death.md): 36 recommend
- [The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt](https://hackerapproved.com/p/anxious-generation.md): 24 recommend
- [Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber](https://hackerapproved.com/p/bullshit-jobs.md): 20 recommend
- [Enshittification by Cory Doctorow](https://hackerapproved.com/p/enshittification.md): 19 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593443225?tag=YOURTAG-20) (affiliate link)
- [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org/a/YOURID/9780593443224) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Means of Control by Byron Tau", https://hackerapproved.com/p/means-of-control/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).