Shop Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.

Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Charles Hugh Smith
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Why Our Status Quo Failed and Is Beyond Reform Kindle Edition

by Charles Hugh Smith (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 136 ratings
See all formats and editions
Our status quo—the pyramid of wealth and power dominated by the few at the top—has failed and is beyond reform.

This failure is not rooted in superficial issues such as politics or governmental regulations; the failure is structural.

The very foundation of the status quo has rotted away, and brushing on another coat of reformist paint will not save our societal house from collapse. Yet those who benefit from our status quo naturally deny it has failed, for the reason that it has yet to fail them personally—either pretending to not understand all unsustainable systems eventually collapse, or hoping to postpone it.

The writing is on the wall for us to read:
We are doing more of what has failed spectacularly.
We are implementing emergency measures as permanent policies.
We receive diminishing returns on status quo solutions.
We suffer declining social mobility.
We have a loss of social cohesion/shared purpose.

Our status quo is not only failing to solve humanity’s six core problems—it has become the problem.

Since this failure is now inevitable, something is coming to replace it. It is urgent that each of us understand why our status quo has failed, and why the usual menu of reforms can’t stop this failure, to prepare ourselves for the radical transformations ahead.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 2
    An Of Two Minds Essential
  2. Print length
    94 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    April 20, 2016
  5. File size
    337 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
Next slide of product details

Shop this series

See full series
See included books
Shop this series
There are 2 books in this series.
Bundle price: Kindle price
$7.20
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.

This option includes 2 books.

Something went wrong.
Please try again.
Bundle price: Kindle price
$7.20
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  3. An Of Two Minds Essential    2 books
Next page
Loading...

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01ELXQZGE
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 20, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 337 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 94 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 136 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Charles Hugh Smith

Charles Hugh Smith

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Charles Hugh Smith is the author of the oftwominds.com blog, #7 in CNBC's top alternative financial sites, and 18 books on our economy and society, including "A Radically Beneficial World: Automation, Technology and Creating Jobs for All," "Global Crisis, National Renewal: A (Revolutionary) Grand Strategy for the United States," "Burnout: Reckoning and Renewal" and "Self-Reliance in the 21st Century." His work is published on a number of popular financial websites including Zero Hedge, Financial Sense and Seeking Alpha and has been featured on numerous podcasts.

Smith has also written nine novels, including "The Adventures of the Consulting Philosopher" and "The Asian Heroine Who Seduced Me." Sample chapters of his books are available on his sites www.oftwominds.com/blog.html and https://charleshughsmith.blogspot.com/

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
136 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book informative and well-written. They appreciate the author's insights and fair analysis of the topic. Overall, readers find the book valuable and a worthwhile read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityInsight
24 customers mention "Readability"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-written. They say it's a valuable read with good points and an interesting brief. The author presents a fresh and believable perspective on what ails us.

"...This book is worthy and interesting...." Read more

"A great read very informative and well written." Read more

"...Inasmuch as this is a meaty, excellent read, I would ask the author to pay more attention to formatting...." Read more

"Good points." Read more

13 customers mention "Insight"13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's insights and fair analysis of the topic. They find it insightful and interesting, providing a clear explanation of how we got into this situation. The author has a good grasp of the subject matter and brings clarity and intuitive understanding to the big issues of our time. The book provides many positions and insights to clarify our current state. It presents a fresh and believable perspective as to what ails us.

"The author has an amazing ability to bring clarity and deep intuitive understanding to the big issues of our time...." Read more

"...friends and it has provoked some interesting discussions and changing of minds which is much appreciated." Read more

"...In this work, he provides many positions and insights to clarify our current state...." Read more

"An outstanding book the provides an outlook on many of the problems faced today with our corrupt government...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Chanan M Steinhart
    5.0 out of 5 stars ... time and when you talk about a wealthy nation like the USA it takes a long time
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Process take time and when you talk about a wealthy nation like the USA it takes a long time. But eventually the eroding processes take their tolls and are completed. Should we care? good question. If something will take 100 years and the impacts will happen way after we die should it matter to us today? We say one thing (" next generation" bla..bla..) but we do another. This book is worthy and interesting. It's also important if you care about the future and what to understand whats happening today beneath the surface. Will it impact your life tomorrow? I don't know, nobody knows. Things can take 100 years, or they can explode next year.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • T. Hall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Deep intuitive understanding of the big issues of our time!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The author has an amazing ability to bring clarity and deep intuitive understanding to the big issues of our time. Charles Hugh Smith brings original thinking to real problems rather than just parrot the established BS. Below are some examples of what I thought were profound insights into our society.
    "Navigating bureaucratic complexities" becomes the most
    valuable skill-set of managers.
    “Free trade” is the public relations banner for the globalization of credit and markets that benefit the powerful
    and wealthy, not the impoverished.
    "The tyranny of price", If the low-quality, low-cost food leads to chronic illnesses that are horrendously costly to treat, the
    initial low cost was illusory if we look at future costs and consequences.
    "What will be scarce" in the emerging digital economy are ideas that enable new products and services and
    radically reduce the cost of producing goods and services. The authors see innovative ideas as a third form of
    capital, with traditional capital and labor being the first and second types of capital.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Werner Eichler
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    A great read very informative and well written.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jack Shea
    5.0 out of 5 stars Smith Nails Most of the Problems and Dysfunctions
    Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    For those wondering why our present economic social order is in such a mess despite the glitzy surface prosperity this book provides many of the answers. It documents both the symptoms and the causes of the sensed malaise.

    One area in which I disagree with the author, however, is his contention that continued borrowing will inevitably lead to runaway inflation. That might happen if resources actually became scarce. But so far the corporate "machine" has been able to produce more manufactured goods than the populace can consume, thus keeping inflation in check. Right now the main constraint in this area is on demand rather than supply.

    The real inflation right now is in things like medical services and higher education. Though homes (including their attendant property taxes) in prestigious locations have also risen significantly in cost. Fine art and gourmet meals have also escalated in price, but these are intrinsically luxury items which tend to charge what the traffic will bear, so their effect on the general society is limited.

    Where the inflation that currently exists is particularly evident is in areas that are cartel-controlled. Thus the availability of medical doctors in the U.S. Is effectively regulated by both medical school quotas and their costs, even though it's pretty clear that this particular profession will not soon be replaced by automation. (Notwithstanding the fact that some 90% of Dr. visits could probably be handled successfully by an app with legal drug-prescribing power. Would/could such a system be abused? Might it make mistakes? Yes, but that happens now with human doctors.)

    So buy the book. You won't be disappointed--unless that is you're one of the status quo elite or aspire to be such.
    20 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Rick Strahl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Measured
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    These days it seems hard to come by reasonably balanced information that doesn't heavily lean in one direction or another, but this book approaches the topic of our status quo both from the direction of what's wrong and why (with a little how) we need to address the issues in order to move on. The author points out many issues that are generally skirted by the mainstream and even much of alternative media especially with the declaration that there's no going back to the way 'things were' given the change in our social and technological changes in society.

    I've referred this book to a few of my more traditionally leaning friends and it has provoked some interesting discussions and changing of minds which is much appreciated.
    6 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Richard Rodgers
    3.0 out of 5 stars excellent read, I would ask the author to pay ...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I have been reading this author's works for many years - he consistently delivers on many levels. I am a huge fan. In this work, he provides many positions and insights to clarify our current state. Inasmuch as this is a meaty, excellent read, I would ask the author to pay more attention to formatting. In an intellectual product such as this - where details count - the many inconsistent indents appear sloppy and do not add credibility to this work. One suggestion is to do a thorough formatting edit and reissue.
    16 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Glenn Flock
    5.0 out of 5 stars Surviving Status Quo With Oodles of O.O.D.A.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    In his usual clear thinking way, CHS precisely concludes the Status Quo is irretrievably being disintermediated. And that it can't be fixed. He's correct and accurate. Therefore we all have little choice except to Observe, Orient, Decide and Act (OODA) in objective ways respectful of Chaos Theory and reality. This is most certainly not a time for magical thinking, denial, projection or behavioral scripts dedicated to living as a mental trudger. It is a time for lucidity; ever clear and critical thinking of the highest order dedicated to ways and means of our survival.

    That is the fundamental and gigantic challenge: how to live a free and rational life in a world delivering The Singularity of radical and rapid CHANGE at the speed of light. Never mind blockchains.

    "A Radically Beneficial World" by CHS delivers an excellent platform on which to exercise​ one's OODA. Go for it.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Michael S
    4.0 out of 5 stars Must read.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Good points.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Forest dweller
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Straight to the point and easy to read. I can recommend this book.
    Dissects the problem of modern day societies
    Report
  • clumb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good in getting some of the basic pitfalls mankind is facing explained.
    Reviewed in Germany on October 5, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    More and more people personally are reaching their limits in terms of asking for "How this all will end?" Smith not only dismantles some of the soothing pills we are given but also shows where we are putting ourselves in a pure illusion. The impact on all our lives we will have to swallow soon - unless the vast majority is ready to change their very own approach on what we want to leave as heritage to our children.
    Report
  • Bushman
    3.0 out of 5 stars Summarizes the crash only...
    Reviewed in Canada on August 6, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I don't agree with this whole assessment but most concepts ring true. He points to another of his books to give the answer to the problem (marketing a more expensive book?). But he also talks about loss of social cohesion as the crash occurs ( it's happening now) so I don't see how this gets to a happy place without civil war and then totalitarian rule.
    Report
  • merlin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 25, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent product at an excellent price with an excellent service. Will buy here again
    Report
  • itips99
    4.0 out of 5 stars An informative publication
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is a compelling publication! Includes informed, realistic, honest, interesting, detailed coverage of the topics discussed with convincing arguments, if somewhat downbeat. Though I would have loved to have seen the same energy and intelligence devoted to more comprehensive coverage, ideas, and solutions, as to how we could address the issues raised. Perhaps that's a topic for a follow-up book?
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report