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First Platoon

A Story of Modern War in the Age of Identity Dominance

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First Platoon

By: Annie Jacobsen
Narrated by: Annie Jacobsen
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About this listen

 From the author of NUCLEAR WAR: A SCENARIO, a powerful story of war in our time, love of country, the experience of tragedy, and a platoon at the center of it all.

This story might sound familiar at first: it is about a platoon of mostly nineteen-year-old boys sent to Afghanistan, and an experience that will change all their lives. But their part of the story folds into the next: linked to those soldiers and never comprehensively reported before is the U.S. Department of Defense’s quest to build the world’s most powerful biometrics database, with the ability to identify, monitor, catalog, and police people all over the world.

First Platoon is an American saga of technology and war that illuminates a transformation of society. It is about identity in the age of identification. About humanity in the age of biometrics, iris scans, fingerprint scans, voice patterning, detection by odor, gait, and more. And about the power of point of view in a burgeoning surveillance state.

Based on hundreds of formerly classified documents, FOIA requests, and exclusive interviews, First Platoon is an investigative exposé by a master chronicler of government secrets. First Platoon reveals a post–9/11 Pentagon whose identification machines have grown more capable than the humans who must make sense of them. A Pentagon so powerful it can cover up its own internal mistakes in pursuit of endless wars. And a people at its mercy, in its last moments before a fundamental change so complete it might be impossible to take back. Military Military Science Politics & Government Social Sciences War & Crisis War Surveillance Middle East Inspiring Veteran
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Another fascinating and interesting tale by my new favouritest author, thank you Annie. This book captured my interest completely and I couldn’t wait to listen when life made room. A fascinating insight into IEDs, biometrics, middle eastern conflict and the US military justice system. I really really enjoyed the extensive history lesson on biometrics. An absolutely fantastic listen and it passed the ‘will I listen again’ test, with flying colours. Enjoy!!

Explosive!

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This is another thorough narrative of the use of biometrics in the battlefield and beyond. Jacobsen explores the use of biometric data in the establishment of a western style Rule of Law judiciary system in Afghanistan via the story of a young platoon.

Always great work from Annie Jacobsen

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A must read to preserve the bulwark of democracy. The genetic panopticon is real and ever growing. The time to act is now.

Excellent

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This is an excellent examination of biometrics surveillance. Jacobsen’s analysis is superb. I would advise anyone to think about this and the implications of state control of knowledge of everyone’s genotype and phenotype.

Everyone concerned about surveillance read this.

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The whole first part of the book is tiresome and laborious. It really was hard to listen to. the middle section and towards the end is insightful and we'll written. this is the only reason it got the score I have it. She does a great job at the performance. I have read all of her books, and I can't help but feel let down by this one.

Not her best work

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