Eli Pariser

Eli Pariser is an American author, activist, and former executive director of MoveOn.org, a progressive public policy advocacy group and political action committee. He is known for his work on online activism and his critique of personalization algorithms used by companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Pariser's work has been influenced by thinkers such as Tim Berners-Lee, Lawrence Lessig, and Jonathan Zittrain. He has also been involved with organizations like Avaaz and the Sunlight Foundation.

● Early Life and Education

Eli Pariser was born in Lincolnville, Maine, and grew up in a family of progressive activists. He attended Bard College at Simon's Rock and later transferred to Hampshire College, where he studied environmental science and political science. During his time at Hampshire College, Pariser was involved with the National Rifle Association-opposing Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the American Civil Liberties Union. He also worked with Greenpeace and the Sierra Club on various environmental campaigns.

● Career

Pariser began his career as a online organizer for MoveOn.org, where he worked on campaigns such as the Save the Internet coalition and the Stop the War in Iraq movement. He later became the executive director of MoveOn.org, a position he held from 2004 to 2009. During his tenure, MoveOn.org worked with organizations like the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union to advocate for progressive policies. Pariser has also worked with Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

● The Filter Bubble

In 2011, Pariser published his book The Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You, which critiques the use of personalization algorithms by companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. The book argues that these algorithms create a filter bubble that limits users' exposure to diverse perspectives and information. Pariser's work on the filter bubble has been influenced by thinkers such as Cass Sunstein, Danah Boyd, and Jeff Jarvis. He has also discussed the topic with Nicholas Carr, Sherry Turkle, and Clay Shirky.

● Activism and Politics

Pariser has been involved in various activist and political campaigns throughout his career. He has worked with organizations like Avaaz, the Sunlight Foundation, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation to advocate for progressive policies and online freedom. Pariser has also been involved with the Occupy Wall Street movement and has worked with Michael Moore and Naomi Klein on various progressive campaigns. He has also been a vocal critic of surveillance capitalism and has worked with Edward Snowden and the American Civil Liberties Union to expose the National Security Agency's mass surveillance programs.

● Personal Life

Pariser currently lives in New York City and is married to Yochai Benkler's former student, Nancy Scola. He is a frequent speaker on topics such as online activism, personalization, and surveillance capitalism. Pariser has also taught at Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society and has worked with Jonathan Zittrain and Lawrence Lessig on various academic projects.

● Works

Pariser has written for various publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. He has also appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and NPR to discuss topics such as online activism and personalization. Pariser's book The Filter Bubble: What the Internet Is Hiding from You has been translated into over 20 languages and has been praised by thinkers such as Tim Berners-Lee, Jonathan Zittrain, and Lawrence Lessig. He has also written articles for The Nation, The New Republic, and Wired magazine, and has worked with Nicholas Carr and Sherry Turkle on various writing projects. Category:American authors