As humans, our brain is wired to pay greater attention when we feel as though we are under threat. Large media corporations have used this to exploit our basic human emotions to drive up sales with their never-ending ‘doom and gloom’ news. Many in this day and age have found themselves obsessing about all the things that are wrong with the world, thus are blinding themselves to the opportunities that are all around.
“The best way to predict the future, is to create it” ~ Abraham Lincoln
Peter H. Diamandi’s novel is a refreshing book, which provides a wave of possibilities that the future holds based on the technological advancements we currently hold.
Imagine a world where 9 billion people all have their basic needs met (health, education, food, shelter etc.,). Peter not only imagines this possible future, but provides direct solutions to the issues many around the world are currently facing, all within the next 25 years.
Peter explains how cheap mobile diagnostic tools and cloud based medical computers can provide those in third world countries/remote areas access to health care, and how existing nuclear reactors have the potential to power the earth for 1,000 years without the risk usually associated with nuclear plants. Furthermore, he demonstrates how computers can provide the most advanced education to anyone, no matter their geographic location, as long as they have a computer and internet access. This will have numerous benefits, such as increasing the number of skilled workers, such as doctors, engineers, scientists etc., which are essential in creating a thriving economy and improving the lives of all those within the community.
Quotes from the book
“Abundance is not about providing everyone on this planet with a life of luxury—rather it’s about providing all with a life of possibility.”
“Technology is a resource-liberating mechanism. It can make the once scarce the now abundant.”“If we were to forgo our television addiction for just one year, the world would have over a trillion hours of cognitive surplus to commit to share projects.”“Culture is the ability to store, exchange, and improve ideas.”“The true measure of something’s worth is the hours it takes to acquire it.”“Teaching kids how to nourish their creativity and curiosity, while still providing a sound foundation in critical thinking, literacy and math, is the best way to prepare them for a future of increasingly rapid technological change.”“if everyone on Earth wants to live like a North American, then we’re going to need five planets’ worth of resources to do”“In today’s hyperlinked world, solving problems anywhere, solves problems everywhere.”“I’ve got a hunk of gold and you have a watch. If we trade, then I have a watch and you have a hunk of gold. But if you have an idea and I have an idea, and we exchange them, then we both have two ideas. It’s nonzero.”“In hundreds of studies, researchers have consistently found that we overestimate our own attractiveness, intelligence, work ethic, chances for success”
“Quite simply, good news doesn’t catch our attention. Bad news sells because the amygdala is always looking for something to fear.”“Right now, in America, 70 percent of our water is used for agriculture, yet 50 percent of the food produced gets thrown away.”“the best way for children to learn was not through “instruction,” but rather through “construction”—that is, learning through doing,”