In this book, Shoshana Zuboff provides a comprehensive analysis of surveillance capitalism, a new economic order where corporations accumulate vast wealth and power by predicting and controlling human behavior. Zuboff details how this form of capitalism, originating in Silicon Valley, has spread into every economic sector, creating 'behavioral futures markets' where predictions about our behavior are bought and sold. She argues that this system, free from democratic oversight, poses significant threats to democracy, freedom, and human future, and urges readers to take action to protect their autonomy in the digital world.
In this book, Thomas Piketty examines the historical dynamics of wealth and income inequality from the 18th century to the present. He argues that when the rate of return on capital exceeds the rate of economic growth, it leads to a concentration of wealth and significant social and economic instability. Piketty's analysis is based on extensive historical and comparative data from over twenty countries, challenging the notion that free market capitalism naturally reduces inequality. He proposes a global system of progressive wealth taxes to mitigate these inequalities and protect democratic values. The book is a groundbreaking work that reorients our understanding of economic history and the inherent contradictions of capitalism[1][4][5].
In this book, David Graeber argues that debt has a much longer history than money and that it has played a central role in shaping human societies. He debunks the myth of barter as the precursor to money, instead proposing that credit systems and debt were the primary means of trade. Graeber examines how debt has been used as a tool for social control, influenced law, religion, and politics, and has led to periodic crises and debtor revolts throughout history. The book also discusses the moral and social implications of debt, suggesting that the concept of debt is more complex than a simple economic transaction[1][2][4].
This book recounts Cathy Freeman's journey from a little girl who loved to run to a world champion athlete. It includes her experiences growing up in a loving family, her relationship with her severely disabled sister who inspired her, and her rise to the top in athletics. The book also touches on the challenges she faced, including racism and personal losses, and how she overcame them through hard work, self-belief, and the support of her family. The narrative is honest and simple, making it relatable to young readers. The book is accompanied by black and white photos, some of which are family shots, adding a personal touch to the story[2][4].
Delhivery, the logistics company, started out in Delhi. It even has Delhi in its name, literally.
Yet, a few weeks ago, I flew to Goa to meet its co-founder and CEO, Sahil Barua, because that’s where Delhivery’s headquarters is now.
It was a day trip. I took an early morning flight. Spent a few hours at a quaint cafe where I was the only guest. Then, I walked 15 minutes through still back alleys filled with cashewnut and mango trees before ending up on a dusty highway, dodging traffic next to an under-construction flyover.
By the time I got to the studio where I was meeting Sahil, my adventure quota for the day was almost over. I loved it.
This was the first time I was meeting Sahil. We’d only exchanged emails with each other. He’s tall, lean and bearded. There’s a certain air of seriousness, for want of a better word, to him. A professorial sort.
I steeled myself, expecting our conversation to be a bit stiff. But Sahil completely surprised me.
Because he felt completely at ease diving into answers, explanations and reflections without much hesitation. It wasn’t impulsiveness, but an ease with his own thoughts and actions, which did not require polishing or editing before being shared.
It was something that kept coming up time and again in my conversation with him. From joining consulting firm Bain right around the time they had set up shop in India to signing up for a triathlon without much regard for what the challenge holds, to moving Delhivery to, well, Goa.
But at Delhivery, as it has become a giant in the e-commerce and logistics business, he tells one thing to his employees—do not move fast and break things.
Delhivery might not be a sexy business from the outset, but the systems they have built and continue to build, as Sahil explains, position it as a company that is always innovating and iterating in a business which has largely remained the same for decades. And as Sahil repeated in different ways, the biggest effort they have taken is building the most effective network out there.
Sahil tracks Delhivery's journey, how he and his co-founders built a logistics network in the image of a telecom network, and how he has grown to be a better, calmer founder over the years.
I talked to Sahil Barua, co-founder and CEO of Delhivery, about that and a lot more during the course of our conversation.
This is part 2 of my conversation with Sahil Barua.
Welcome to First Principles.
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This episode was produced by Hari Krishna, and the mixing and mastering of the episode was done by Rajiv CN.
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First Principles 
