Liars and Outliers

Enabling the Trust that Society Needs to Thrive

Bruce Schneier (Counterpane Internet Security)

$36.95

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

John Wiley & Sons Inc
03 November 2025

Impact of science & technology on society; Ethical & social aspects of computing; Computer security

In today's hyper-connected society, understanding the mechanisms of trust is crucial. Issues of trust are critical to solving problems as diverse as corporate responsibility, global warming, and the political system. In this insightful and entertaining book, Schneier weaves together ideas from across the social and biological sciences to explain how society induces trust. He shows the unique role of trust in facilitating and stabilizing human society. He discusses why and how trust has evolved, why it works the way it does, and the ways the information society is changing everything.

By: Bruce Schneier (Counterpane Internet Security)
Imprint: John Wiley & Sons Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 178mm, Width: 155mm, Spine: 28mm
Weight: 499g
ISBN: 9781394375288
ISBN 10: 139437528X
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 03 November 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

A Note for Readers xiii 1 Overview 1 Part I The Science of Trust 15 2 A Natural History of Security 17 3 The Evolution of Cooperation 27 4 A Social History of Trust 41 5 Societal Dilemmas 51 Part II A Model of Trust 61 6 Societal Pressures 63 7 Moral Pressures 75 8 Reputational Pressures 87 9 Institutional Pressures 103 10 Security Systems 123 Part III The Real World 137 11 Competing Interests 139 12 Organizations 155 13 Corporations 173 14 Institutions 195 Part IV Conclusions 205 15 How Societal Pressures Fail 207 16 Technological Advances 225 17 The Future 243 Acknowledgments 249 Notes 251 References 289 About the Author 349 Index 351

BRUCE SCHNEIER is an internationally renowned security technologist who studies the human side of security. A prolific author, he has written hundreds of articles, essays, and academic papers, as well as fourteen books that together have sold more than 400,000 copies. He has testified before Congress, is a frequent guest on television and radio, and is regularly quoted in the press.

Reviews for Liars and Outliers: Enabling the Trust that Society Needs to Thrive

""One of the best books I've read this year is by a security technologist, Bruce Schneier. In Liars and Outliers, he sets out to investigate how trust works in society and in business, how it is betrayed and the degree to which technology changes all of that, for the better or the worse. Schneier absolutely understands how profoundly trust oils the wheels of business and of daily life."" (Margaret Heffernan, CBS MoneyWatch) ""This book will appeal not only to customers interested in computer security but also on the idea of security and trust as a whole in society."" (The Bookseller, 16th December 2011) ""This book should be read by anyone in a leadership role, whether they're in the corporate or political sphere... an easy read and the ideas and thoughts are profound."" (Naked Security, February 2012) ""By concentrating on the human angle and packing the book with real world examples he has successfully stretched its appeal outside that of the security specialist to the more general reader."" (E & T Magazine, March 2012)