Abundance
The Future Is Better Than You Think
By: Peter H. Diamandis, Steven Kotler
Published: February 21, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 400 pages
ISBN-10: 1451614217
ISBN-13: 978-1451614213
Publisher: Free Press
In their direct challenge to the concept of limits to growth for the planet Earth and its people, hairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation, Peter H. Diamondis, and director of research for the Flow Genome Project, Steven Kotler provide evidence that the future is not one of shortages, but rather one where growth is not only possible, but inevitable. In their visionary and landmark book, Abundance The Future Is Better Than You Think, the authors describe the world as one where the needs of every person in the world will have their needs met; and more. That future, they write, is well within our grasp.
Peter Diamandis (photo left) and Steven Kotler recognize that there are serious problems and challenges facing humanity as we enter into the twenty-first century. In today's world, a privileged few live in luxury, while the vast majority of humanity lives on a subsistence level. Conventional wisdom claims that those circumstances are unlikely to change; and very likely get even worse. The authors write that the world, its resources, and its economy doesn't have to be that way. In the place of that conventional worldview, the authors take the contrarian position that not only will humanity's needs be met, but that the forces of technology are increasing and improving at such an incredible rate, that a life of abundance awaits the world in the very near future.
Steven Kotler (photo left) and Peter Diamandis introduce the reader to a wide range of thought leaders and innovators in the following fields: water, food, energy, healthcare, education, and freedom. Each of these topics are examined through the lens of possibilities, rather than limitations. That reversal of the standard approach opens the door to the fresh thinking and new ideas that permeate the entire book. The thinkers, entrepreneurs, and scientists who share their ideas with the authors offer an alternative future where technology, increasing at an exponential rate, will provide global abundance at a level never before seen on this planet.
The authors take a big picture approach, to their vision of the future, that examines possibilities rather than focusing on limitations. Instead of rushing to judgement as to why an idea might not work, they take the opposite position of how can that concept contribute to global abundance that benefits everyone. The book is divided into sections that cover the major touch points of abundance:
* Perspective
* Exponential Technologies
* Building the Base of the Pyramid
* The Forces of Abundance
* Peak of the Pyramid
* Steering faster
For me, the power of the book is how Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler not only share a global vision of abundance, but provide a road map for reaching and even exceeding the goal of meeting the needs of every living person on Earth. The book is a powerful combination of visionary thinking and optimism, blended with an entrepreneurial can do attitude, where possibilities can become realities. The authors provide a glimpse into a future, not of desolation and repression, but rather one of a good life, abundant food and resources, and personal freedom.
The authors demonstrate that the current level of technological advancement and breakthrough is approaching a tipping point where exponential technology change becomes inevitable. After that point is passed, the growth of technology will solve the current glaring problems in providing adequate food, shelter, and healthcare to the world. The book is a call to action as well for entrepreneurs, scientists, industry, and government policy makers to provide the impetus and will, to achieve this environmentally and economically sustainable future vision of abundance for all of humanity.
I highly recommend the thought provoking and hope filled book Abundance The Future Is Better Than You Think by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler, to any entrepreneurs, scientists, environmentalists, technology experts, corporations, humanitarians, philosophers, economists, governments, and anyone who shares a desire to build a better world for all people. This book is a book of possibilities, of ideas, of hands on thinking, and even of inevitable technological probabilities. This important book is one that is not to be missed.
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