Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think (Exponential Technology Series) - Softcover

Diamandis, Peter H.; Kotler, Steven

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1451695764 ISBN 13: 9781451695762

Publisher: Free Press, 2012

Synopsis

We will soon be able to meet and exceed the basic needs of every man, woman and child on the planet. Abundance for all is within our grasp. This bold, contrarian view, backed up by exhaustive research, introduces our near-term future, where exponentially growing technologies and three other powerful forces are conspiring to better the lives of billions. An antidote to pessimism by tech entrepreneur turned philanthropist, Peter H. Diamandis and award-winning science writer Steven Kotler.

Since the dawn of humanity, a privileged few have lived in stark contrast to the hardscrabble majority. Conventional wisdom says this gap cannot be closed. But it is closing-fast. The authors document how four forces-exponential technologies, the DIY innovator, the Technophilanthropist, and the Rising Billion-are conspiring to solve our biggest problems. Abundance establishes hard targets for change and lays out a strategic roadmap for governments, industry and entrepreneurs, giving us plenty of reason for optimism.

Examining human need by category-water, food, energy, healthcare, education, freedom-Diamandis and Kotler introduce dozens of innovators making great strides in each area: Larry Page, Steven Hawking, Dean Kamen, Daniel Kahneman, Elon Musk, Bill Joy, Stewart Brand, Jeff Skoll, Ray Kurzweil, Ratan Tata, Craig Venter, among many, many others.

About this title

Review

"At a moment when our world faces multiple crises and is awash in pessimism, "Abundance" redirects the conversation, spotlighting scientific innovators working to improve people's lives around the world. The result is more than a portrait of brilliant minds - it's a reminder of the infinite possibilities for doing good when we tap into our own empathy and wisdom."--Arianna Huffington, CEO, Huffington Post "Diamandis and Kotler do a masterful job of explaining why we are at the start of a new era of radically increasing standards of living throughout the world. "Abundance" is essential reading for anyone looking for a better tomorrow."--Elon Musk, CEO, SpaceX, CEO, Tesla Motors, Founder, PayPal "Now that human beings communicate so easily, I suspect that nothing can stop the inevitable torrent of new technologies, new ideas and new arrangements that will transform the lives of our children. Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler give us a blinding glimpse of the innovations that are coming our way -- and that they are helping to create. This is a vital book."--Matt Ridley, author of "The Rational Optimist" "This brilliant must-read book provides the key to the coming era of abundance replacing eons of scarcity, a powerful antidote to today's malaise and pessimism."--Ray Kurzweil, inventor, author and futurist, author of "The Singularity is Near" "Today, philanthropists, innovators and passionate entrepreneurs are more empowered than ever before to solve humanity's grand challenges. "Abundance "chronicles many of these stories and the emerging tools driving us towards an age of abundance. This is an audacious and powerful read!"--Jeff Skoll ""Abundance" provides proof that the proper combination of technology, people and capital can meet any grand challenge."--Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of the Virgin Group "Comprehensively sampled here are a hell of a lot of the profound innovations going on to improve the human condition. Every breakthrough helps empower others, and so they aggregate into a trend you can count on."--Stewart Brand, author, " Whole Earth Discipline" "This engaging book is a needed corrective, a whirlwind tour of the latest developments in health care, agriculture, energy, and other fields ...The authors make a compelling case for optimism over dread as we face the exhilarating unknown. " --"Publisher's Weekly" "If the future isn't necessarily bright enough for shades, then, write high-tech pioneer Diamandis and science journalist Kotler think things are going to work out just fine...A nicely optimistic look at a matter that usually brings out the darkest thoughts among prognosticators..." --"Kirkus" "Diamandis and Kotler challenge us all to solve humanity's grand challenges. Innovative small teams are now empowered to accomplish what only governments and large corporations could once achieve. The result is nothing less than the most transformative and thrilling period in human history."--Timothy Ferriss, #1 NY Times bestselling author of The 4-Hour Workweek "Our future depends on optimists like Diamandis...even the most skeptical readers will come away from "Abundance" feeling less gloomy." --"New York Times Book Review" "A manifesto for the future that is grounded in practical solutions addressing the world's most pressing concerns: overpopulation, food, water, energy, education, health care and freedom. " --"The Wall Street Journal" "A breezy case for optimism... "Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think"...[is] a godsend for those who suffer from Armageddon fatigue." --"The Economist" "At a moment when our world faces multiple crises and is awash in pessimism, Abundance redirects the conversation, spotlighting scientific innovators working to improve people's lives around the world. The result is more than a portrait of brilliant minds - it's a reminder of the infinite possibilities for doing good when we tap into our own empathy and wisdom." - Arianna Huffington, CEO, Huffington Post ""Abundance" provides proof that the proper combination of technology, people and capital can meet any grand challenge." --Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of the Virgin Group

About the Author

Peter H. Diamandis is a New York Times bestselling author and the founder of more than fifteen high-tech companies. He is the CEO of the XPRIZE and executive chairman of Singularity University, a Silicon Valley-based institution backed by Google, 3D Systems, and NASA. He is cochairman of Planetary Resources, Inc. and the cofounder of Human Longevity, Inc. Diamandis attended MIT, where he received his degrees in molecular genetics and aerospace engineering, and Harvard Medical School, where he received his MD. In 2014 he was named one of “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” by Fortune magazine.

Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and the founder and executive director of the Flow Research Collective. His books include Stealing Fire, Bold, The Rise of Superman, Abundance, A Small Furry Prayer, West of Jesus, and Last Tango in Cyberspace. His work has been nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes, has been translated into more than forty languages, and has appeared in over a hundred publications, including the New York Times Magazine, Atlantic Monthly, Wired, Forbes, and Time. 

About this edition

• Publisher: Free Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1451695764
• ISBN 13: 9781451695762
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400