Years ago, I came across a hilarious comedian named Brian Regan. He has a schtick from the early 2000s called “You must be from the FUTURE!”, referring to when people started carrying laptops on flights and making a big deal about it going through security. I couldn’t find that exact clip, but if you are flying this summer, need a good laugh, or both, this is gold:
Why it’s hard right now.
Do you know why things seem so bleak? It's because we are living through the death throes of a broken world order, and it's not going quietly. It hasn’t been a secret; some astute historians and journalists predicted this back in the 1980s.
This downturn will bottom out, perhaps sooner than we think. Things will get worse unevenly before they get better, but there are some practical reasons to believe that they will get better.
If you are lucky enough to be outside of the collateral damage zone, what you can do in the meantime is to learn about what’s next.
There are two major trends reshaping human society, and no, they are not party politics and social media.
They are decentralization and artificial intelligence.
This week, I’m suggesting some books that will make you think and help you envision a better world, from different angles, and with examples of where it's already happening.
Rather than the escapist cupcake binge of romance novels, think of these as the fruit smoothies for your summer reading pleasure.
Check them out below, presented in no particular order:
Cashless: China's Digital Currency Revolution
Time to read: 1-2 pool afternoons, plus one night staying up past your bedtime
I haven’t read this one; it's up next after I finish the Read Write Own book (below). This looks very interesting. It could also be an analogy for our financial system if the Republicans succeed with an authoritarian coup and eliminate cash, or vice versa. One goes with the other. Americans need to understand more about central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to avoid this.
Blockchain for Voting
Time to read: For when it's too hot to sleep.
Blockchain voting is something we should all get way louder about, but most people don’t even know what it is. The topic is a top contender for my next book.
If we had blockchain voting, we could eliminate the Electoral College, vote from our phones, make it impossible to rig election hardware, and shrink political parties back to a Bake Sale scale.
The book is not just about blockchain for voting; it's also a surprisingly well-written, simple introduction to decentralization and blockchain. Amazon has several very long books on blockchain that are not simple or well-written, so good on you, Rakesh.
Welcome Home: How to Build Your Town and Downsize Politics
Time to read: Sunday morning slow coffee
I love this little book. I wrote it in 10 days to keep my sanity at the end of an unplanned, unpaid 3-month sabbatical (ie, unemployment).
With Welcome Home, as usual, I’m at least 5 years ahead of the market, so do yourself a favor and give this book a skim. Give it to your favorite engineer or garage tinkerer.
It’s brief and brimming with real-world examples of practical ways for local people and towns to decrease their dependence on D.C. and make money managing the infrastructure of modern life.
Broken Money: Why Our Financial System is Failing Us and How We Can Make it Better
Time to read: 2 afternoons by the pool
This is one book I wish I had written; it’s that good. It’s the most straightforward, engaging-without-being-annoying account of the history of money and how finance works (or doesn’t) that I’ve come across. It has over 1,400 five-star reviews on Amazon. Read it and be the most interesting person at the next neighborhood pool party.
Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet
Time to read: 1 staycation day with several good espressos.
Another book that I’m tempted to be jealous of, but decided I’m not. Chris Dixon’s lived experience of being in the exact right place at the right time during the Internet’s history is valuable street cred, as it means many influential people who have been pooh-poohing blockchain are giving it a second look due to this book.
Dixon clearly describes (without going off into the weeds, thank you God) why networks matter and why blockchain will be the basis of the internet’s next evolution. He reframes blockchain as a “computer.” I’m still thinking about that one.
It gets a little geeky in places, but you got this, boss.
The Crypto Skeptics' Intro to Stablecoins: No hype, no jargon, no crypto bros.
Time to read: One hammock session before your back gives out.
If you read some of the other books, you start to see that stablecoins are the killer app that will propel the decentralization transformation.
That’s because TradFi has finally figured out a way to make money off of crypto.
Follow the money, honey.
Happy Reading!
Sending you chill vibes as July heats up!
Enjoy the books and let me know how it goes for you. I’d love to do a book club/discussion group on these themes, so if you are interested, let me know!