There’s more to life than profit

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Nov 21, 2019

Yancey Strickler, co-founder of Kickstarter and author of "This Could Be Our Future," challenges conventional capitalist values. He discusses the impact of profit-driven mindsets on society and explores alternatives that prioritize ethics. The conversation touches on climate change, the evolution of crowdfunding, and the idea of 'bentoism' for balanced decision-making. Strickler also reflects on the emotional limitations of language and the profound influence of literature, revealing how storytelling shapes our understanding of human experiences.

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INSIGHT

Climate Change’s Existential Threat

Climate change’s impact on human cooperation is unpredictable.
It could foster compassion or worsen tribalism, impacting our ability to address it.

INSIGHT

The Internet’s Dark Forest

The internet, like a dark forest, incentivizes silence due to perceived risks.
This elevates aggressive voices and hinders open expression, making vulnerability crucial.

ANECDOTE

Asimov’s Foundation and Language

In Asimov's Foundation series, an advanced society surpasses language, finding it limiting.
They communicate through feelings and emotions, highlighting the potential limitations of language.

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a great book by John Higgs, uh, by, about the KLF

John Higgs

Spheres of Justice

Michael Walzer

How Emotions Are Made

The Secret Life of the Brain

Lisa Feldman Barrett

In this book, Lisa Feldman Barrett presents a new neuroscientific explanation of emotions, overturning the widely held belief that emotions are automatic, universal, and hardwired in different brain regions. Instead, she argues that emotions are constructed in the moment through a unique interplay of brain, body, and culture. Barrett's theory, known as the 'Theory of Constructed Emotions,' suggests that emotions are highly individualized and vary by culture. The book explores how this new understanding has significant implications for fields such as psychology, medicine, law, parenting, and national security. Barrett uses clear, readable prose and practical examples to make her complex theories accessible to a broad audience.

Value in Ethics and Economics

Elizabeth Anderson

In 'Value in Ethics and Economics', Elizabeth Anderson presents a new theory of value and rationality that critiques the application of cost-benefit analysis in ethical theories and social life. The book addresses contemporary debates on the market's scope, including commercial surrogate motherhood and environmental protection. Anderson argues that not everything can be commodified and emphasizes the importance of recognizing multiple values beyond economic ones.

The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing

Violate Them at Your Own Risk

Al Ries

Jack Trout

In this book, Al Ries and Jack Trout present 22 immutable laws of marketing that are essential for understanding and succeeding in the international marketplace. These laws, such as the Law of Leadership, the Law of the Category, and the Law of Perception, emphasize the importance of being first in the market, creating new categories, and focusing on perceptions rather than products. The authors argue that violating these laws can lead to marketing failure, regardless of the resources or creativity invested. The book provides a clear path to successful marketing by adhering to these timeless principles.

Dune

Frank Herbert

Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs. The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities. The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people[2][5][4].

This Could Be Our Future

A Manifesto for a More Generous World

Yancey Strickler

In this book, Yancey Strickler argues that Western society is trapped by assumptions that prioritize self-interest and wealth. He suggests that these assumptions have led to environmental collapse, corruption, inequality, and widespread dissatisfaction. Strickler advocates for expanding the concept of value beyond financial gain to include values such as community, purpose, and sustainability. The book offers a vision for building a more generous, fair, and sustainable society and provides a framework called Bentoism for making these changes[2][4][5].

We Are the Weather

Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast

Jonathan Safran Foer

In *We Are the Weather*, Jonathan Safran Foer delves into the central global dilemma of climate change with a surprising, deeply personal, and urgent approach. The book highlights how our planet has been transformed into a farm for growing animal products, leading to catastrophic consequences. Foer argues that collective action, starting with simple dietary changes such as reducing animal product consumption, is crucial for saving the planet. He draws analogies from historical events, personal experiences, and scientific facts to emphasize the need for individual responsibility and action in combating climate change[1][3][4].

How Emotions Are Made

The Secret Life of the Brain

Lisa Feldman Barrett

The Three-Body Problem

None

Cixin Liu

Cixin Liu's 'The Three-Body Problem' is a critically acclaimed science fiction novel that blends hard science with compelling storytelling. The story follows a group of scientists who make contact with an alien civilization, leading to unforeseen consequences for humanity. Liu's intricate world-building and exploration of complex scientific and philosophical themes have earned him widespread recognition. The novel is known for its ambitious scope and its exploration of the potential challenges and dangers of encountering extraterrestrial life. It's a thought-provoking work that has captivated readers worldwide.

Time Loops

Eric Wargo

Foundation Series

A Science Fiction Masterpiece

Isaac Asimov

The Foundation series, written by Isaac Asimov, is a seminal work of science fiction that spans over 550 years. It begins with the decline of the Galactic Empire, which has ruled for 12,000 years. Mathematician Hari Seldon develops the science of psychohistory, predicting the empire's fall and a subsequent 30,000-year dark age. To mitigate this, Seldon establishes the Foundation, a group of scientists and scholars on the planet Terminus, to compile and preserve human knowledge in the Encyclopedia Galactica. The series follows the Foundation's journey through various challenges and adaptations over millennia, exploring themes of governance, warfare, and science. The series was initially published as short stories and novellas between 1942 and 1950, later compiled into novels, and expanded upon in subsequent books[3][4][5].