Why Things Bite Back

About This Audiobook

Edward Tenner’s *Why Things Bite Back* isn’t another dry tech manifesto—it’s a forensic tour of unintended consequences, where the real innovation isn’t in what we build, but in what builds back. Think seatbelts that encourage reckless driving, or antibiotics that breed superbugs: Tenner’s razor-sharp examples reveal how every ‘solution’ spawns new problems, often worse than the original. The book’s genius lies in its refusal to moralize; it’s a field guide to the chaotic feedback loops of progress, where even the most brilliant engineering can’t outrun human nature. If you’ve ever cursed a self-checkout kiosk that refuses to scan your simple produce or grown skeptical of ‘smarter’ systems after they fail spectacularly, this audiobook will validate your frustration—and make you wonder what’s coming next to bite you in the backside. Steve Kramer’s narration is the secret weapon here. His delivery isn’t just smooth—it’s *sly*, with a dry wit that matches Tenner’s restrained skepticism. Kramer doesn’t over-act; instead, he lets the absurdity of history’s technical flops speak for itself, whether recounting the 19th-century panic over ‘automatic’ telegraphs or the modern debacle of ‘smart’ thermostats that freeze users out of their own homes. The pacing is brisk without rushing, and the audiobook’s 14+ hours never drag, thanks to chapters that double as mini-mysteries. This isn’t just a cautionary tale—it’s a masterclass in spotting the warning signs before the next tech backfire hits.