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This Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous World Hardcover – October 29, 2019

by Yancey Strickler (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 142 ratings
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A vision for building a society that looks beyond money and toward maximizing the values that make life worth living, from the cofounder of Kickstarter.

Western society is trapped by three assumptions: 1) That the point of life is to maximize your self-interest and wealth, 2) That we're individuals trapped in an adversarial world, and 3) That this is natural and inevitable. These ideas separate us, keep us powerless, and limit our imagination for the future. It's time we replace them with something new.

This Could Be Our Future is about how we got here, and how we change course. While the pursuit of wealth has produced innovation and prosperity, it also established an implicit belief that the right choice in every decision is whichever option makes the most money. The answer isn't to get rid of money; it's to expand our concept of value. By assigning rational value to other values besides money--things like community, purpose, and sustainability--we can refocus our energies to build a society that's generous, fair, and ready for the future. By recalibrating our definition of value, a world of scarcity can become a world of abundance.

Hopeful but firmly grounded, full of concrete solutions and bursting with creativity, This Could Be Our Future brilliantly dissects the world we live in and shows us a road map to the world we are capable of making.
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  1. Reading age
    1 year and up
  2. Print length
    304 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Dimensions
    5.79 x 1 x 8.51 inches
  5. Publisher
    Viking
  6. Publication date
    October 29, 2019
  7. ISBN-10
    0525560823
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0525560821
  9. See all details
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From the Publisher

Yancey Strickler,business,economy,sociology,political science,business books,geopolitics money

Yancey Strickler,business,economy,sociology,political science,business books,geopolitics money

Yancey Strickler,business,economy,sociology,political science,business books,geopolitics money

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Yancey Strickler, co-founder of the online crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, urges us to change the way we view work and society…[a] mix of internal corporate reform and consciousness-raising.” 
— Wall Street Journal

"In this wise, and sometimes bracing, manifesto, he reveals how hidden assumptions about what matters have coarsened our culture and corroded our values. Then shows how to create organizations and institutions built less on maximizing financial gain and more on family, faith, and sustainability. This book is the conversation starter our world needs.”
— Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of WHEN, DRIVE, and A WHOLE NEW MIND
 
“Yancey Strickler is convinced that our value system is broken. In this lucid book, he lays out a vision for how to fix it that’s both audacious and elevating. It’s a thought-provoking read for anyone who knows there’s more to life than accumulating wealth.”
— Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of GIVE AND TAKE, ORIGINALS, and coauthor of OPTION B
 
“Starting in the 1970s, new ideas were proposed about how business should run--ideas that prioritized short-term over long term, profit before people, selfish decisions over selfless ones. Those ideas blossomed in the 1980s and 90s and today they consume too many of the standard business practices. Yancey Strickler is one of the voices that is helping to reverse those ideas in favor of a people before profit model that benefits ALL stakeholders. Preach on Yancey!!”
— Simon Sinek, Optimist and New York Times bestselling author of START WITH WHY and LEADERS EAT LAST
 
"A seminal work, it puts a long overdue stake through the heart of profit maximization and all the harm this toxic idea has caused. Beautifully written, thoughtfully researched, a must read for anyone who cares about where we're headed."
—Seth Godin, New York Times bestselling author of THIS IS MARKETING
 
“This book is a gift to humanity, filled with blueprints and ideas about how effortlessly we can change the way we think to create a better and kinder world. It’s packed with insight and shows us that real change is not as impossible as we might believe. If you’ve got future-fatigue, this book might be the perfect bedtime story to help you sleep at night.”
—Amanda Palmer, Musician and New York Times bestselling author of THE ART OF ASKING: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Let People Help
 
“Want to actually change the world for the better? Start here.”
— Sophia Amoruso, New York Times bestselling author of GIRLBOSS
 
“This bold, moving book explains why forging a more humane, equitable society depends on a fundamental shift not just in values, but the very way we define what value is. This is urgent, actionable reading for anyone who cares about the long-term, complete with a simple framework for how to start seeing the bigger picture and making real change.”
—Eric Ries, Author of the international bestsellers THE LEAN STARTUP and THE STARTUP WAY and Founder of The Long Term Stock Exchange
 
“Throughout history, societies have fallen for the fallacy that the world around them is how things are destined to be forever--only in hindsight do we see how wrong and shortsighted they were. This Could Be Our Future is a brilliant exercise in reasoning from first principles, challenging our assumptions about how the world must be.”
— Tim Urban, writer of Wait But Why
 
"This is a beautiful, simple, important book. If we all follow its advice, the world will be a far better place for our children and grandchildren."
— Tim O'Reilly, Founder and CEO of O'Reilly Media and author of WTF? WHAT’S THE FUTURE AND WHY IT’S UP TO US
 
“Reading This Could Be Our Future should be a requirement for all who endeavor to build and lead humane organizations."
— Jerry Colonna, author of REBOOT: LEADERSHIP AND THE ART OF GROWING UP
 
“Yancey's career has been predicated on debunking unbridled self-interest––especially of the financial kind. In this book, he promotes a new design for society based on a more generous sharing of riches, ideas, and destinies.”
— Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator, Architecture and Design at The Museum of Modern Art
 
“The co-founder and former CEO of Kickstarter offers some intriguing ideas on how to create a better world...A valid evaluation of the modern world and why it needs to shift from financial maximization to something more humane.”
— Kirkus

About the Author

Yancey Strickler is the cofounder and former CEO of Kickstarter. He has appeared on NBC, CNN, MSNBC, NPR Marketplace, Planet Money, KCRW, PBS, and the BBC. He's been profiled in Wired, Financial Times, The New York Times, New York Magazine, Forbes, and Vox and has given keynotes at SXSW, the Sundance Film Festival, the Museum of Modern Art, Atlantic Ideas Festival, Techcrunch Disrupt, Web Summit, the Walker Art Center, 92nd Street Y, and more. He was one of Fortune's 40 Under 40, on Vanity Fair's New Establishment list, and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. The London Spectator called him "one of the least obnoxious tech evangelists ever."

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Viking; First Edition (October 29, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0525560823
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0525560821
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 year and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.79 x 1 x 8.51 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 142 ratings

About the author

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Yancey Strickler

Yancey Strickler

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Yancey Strickler is a writer, speaker and co-founder of Kickstarter. He has appeared widely across the media around the world and been profiled in Wired, the Financial Times, The New York Times, New York Magazine, Forbes, and Vox. He was one of Fortune’s 40 Under 40, on Vanity Fair’s New Establishment List, and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. The Spectator called him "one of the least obnoxious tech evangelists ever."

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
142 global ratings
If anyone has worthy insight on an effective post-covid economy, it's the CEO of Kickstarter!
5 out of 5 stars
If anyone has worthy insight on an effective post-covid economy, it's the CEO of Kickstarter!
Once you understand the havoc caused by financial maximization we can begin the conversation of finding what is good for us now, and in the future.
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Top reviews from the United States

Mark from Livingston, NJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Yancey Strickler For President
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
The book is worthy of the title, “manifesto.” It is an amazing commentary on how we got to where we are and how we might make it better.

The book makes the case against “financial maximization” and provides tools for reshaping our future. The book is especially compelling in the last chapter where Yancey’s describes his vision for what might be possible if we all develop more coherence with out “future us.”

If Yancey were running for President, then I would vote for him!
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Tim Hicks
3.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful idea that should be a much shorter book
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
The core idea of the book - ending financial maximizing in favor of a more balanced approach to value - is an important concept for our society to embrace, debate and enact. The book however, spends so much time laying out a rationale for change and using generalizations, simplified psychology models and the same tired experiments that populate most business books today that you are numb by the time the author gets to any concrete solutions. And then there is little to offer in the way of how we make the change. I had heard the author on the podcast, The Next Big Idea and had high hopes for the book but I'm disappointed. Had this been written as an idea followed by a "how-to" I would have enjoyed it more.
8 people found this helpful
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John B
5.0 out of 5 stars I love perspectives and ideas that offer new possibilities
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2019
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It is always good to see how we can build for the people. History has always shown how humans struggle between things like greed, fairness and empathy and as we evolve it is important to ponder different possible solutions. You won't be disappointed here. The author uses his upbringing and subsequent experience to dwell on the possibilities for tomorrow.... Something we should all be doing.......
2 people found this helpful
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Moto-Ship
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2021
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I really enjoyed reading this book. Read the first half without stopping, I found myself thinking I have experienced; the results of these "financial" maximizations. It has examples of what is wrong and hopefully a change that is already taking place.
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David T Lang
5.0 out of 5 stars A perspective worth considering
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2019
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I've followed Yancey's Kickstarter work (and related writing) for years and was eager to read TCBOF to dive deeper into his entrepreneurial philosophy. I'm glad he took the time to write this book. I found myself wanting more Kickstarter stories and wisdom, but appreciated all the new ideas that he's wrangled together here. Definitely worth the time.
6 people found this helpful
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Amy Meyers
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read.
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2019
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Amazing. Inspired. A must read if you want to pull back the veil and see what the corporatists who have hijacked our culture are really interested in and how we as individuals can combat that.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, inspiring content
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2019
Verified Purchase
Yancey's book is a great, optimistic approach to the world we find ourselves in. I've already felt compelled to tell multiple people about the concepts of Bentoism and have gifted the book twice. Highly recommended!
2 people found this helpful
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JT Ryan
5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable.
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2020
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An amazing book. It will change your perspective on the world.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Omar H. Gassama
5.0 out of 5 stars It is really a must-read!
Reviewed in Germany on November 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
Yancey Strickler wrote a manifesto which is a true eye opener! He describes one of the greatest issues in our modern society, and I would dare to say, he doesn't just describes it, but he actually makes us understand why we got here, and also outlines real solutions for mitigating this issue. This is one of the most important books one must read if concerned about whether humanity is heading in the right direction, and if not, what kind of trajectory corrections we have to make.
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Nina Salomons
5.0 out of 5 stars Must buy, highly recommend for those who have been feel helpless in the grasp of capitalism
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 12, 2019
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I have not even finished the book but felt compelled to write a review already. Having worked in film, living through the age of YouTube and having my own tech start-up I feel as we are all living in this cruel economy focused on making money. Strickley’s argument for financial maximisation is something I’ve felt hopelessly stuck with as I’ve grown up. Watching another marvel movie or remake in cinema, seeing the same chains around cities across the world, and meeting investors who are continuously asking about ROI’s has made me feel as if everything’s has become monotonously focused on money. The lack of creativity, diversity, the emphasis on views, clicks and click bait, watching universities become businesses rather than places where we learn and gain knowledge.

I feel helplessly owned by large corporations, unable to leave their grasp. I bought this book to give myself hope - and so far it’s been one of the biggest eye opening books I’ve read about how our generation can actively participate in changing our world views. Not just explaining how we got to where we are now, but also putting hope in the reader themselves. Something that Kickstarter does, which is put emphasis and hope back into the individual rather than the corporate. It’s refreshing and a must buy.

(My only regret is having bought it from amazon, instead of a bookstore.)
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A
5.0 out of 5 stars Bentoism an interesting concept
Reviewed in Australia on January 28, 2020
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Recommend reading if interested why Kickstarter was created, and find balance between giving back to society and being financial well ofd......bentoism.
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H. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it and send it to your boss - thank me later.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
Strickler's prose is casual, calm and rich with anecdotes.

This book reads similar to a diary, fears and reflections included, and it's a refreshing addition to the otherwise banal accounts of entrepreneurial stardom. Strickler lays out an alternative path, inspired by past business mavericks, commending businesses that seek more than the maximization of it's bottom line, but the betterment of social and environmental goals. Kickstarter, the company Strickler helped found, provides a clear example of a corporation seeking more to life, after all, most of us spend nearly all our lives working to appease our shareholders. If you are somewhat suspicious of the doctrine of economic growth, you won't find any criticisms here, however, you will find some criticisms of GDP as a measure of progress but by no means a detailed account (the Growth Delusion would be a good alternative of that's what you are after).

Fianlly a business book that steps up to the reailities of society. If you have a boss that blabs on about shareholders and financial targets, buy this and leave it on their desk.
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ami
5.0 out of 5 stars (Unerwartet) gutes Buch
Reviewed in Germany on November 21, 2019
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Vorab: ich bin noch nicht ganz durch, muss aber sagen dass ich viele typische „Business/Sachbücher“ nach ca. der Hälfte weglege, weil der Autor sich wiederholt, damit aus einer Idee auch wirklich ein Buch wird. Mit dieser Erwartung habe ich Strickers Buch gekauft und bin bislang positiv überrascht worden - mir war klar, dass das Buch konsumkritisch ist. Allerdings hat Strickler einige richtig gute Beispiele, (die ich bislang nicht kannte) warum die finanzielle Maximierung eine Sackgasse ist und gute Ansätze, wie wir eine bessere Zukunft schaffen. Inspiring!
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