Think Twice: About Abundance with Derek Thompson

In 'Hitmakers: How Brands Influence Culture', Ana Andjelic explores how modern brands have evolved into 'hitmakers', focusing on creating cultural hits through collaborations, merchandise, entertainment, and other cultural products. These strategies replace traditional advertising methods and can significantly boost brand popularity and sales. The book provides practical examples and tools for brand strategists to produce cultural hits.

In 'Republic, Lost', Lawrence Lessig examines the impact of money on American democracy, highlighting how campaign finance and corporate lobbying have led to widespread distrust in government. He argues that despite good intentions, the system has been co-opted by outside interests, and proposes solutions such as a new Constitutional Convention to restore democratic integrity.

In this book, Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler present a contrarian view that the future is brighter than commonly perceived. They document how exponential technologies, DIY innovators, technophilanthropists, and the rising billion (the world's poor empowered by modern communication technology) are conspiring to solve global problems such as access to clean water, food, energy, healthcare, education, and freedom. The authors provide examples and strategic roadmaps for governments, industries, and entrepreneurs to address these challenges, offering a optimistic outlook on the potential for technological innovation to improve human living standards[2][4][5].