The Future is Better Than You Think

I am currently reading the book Abundance by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler that provides some insightful optimism in what has become a very negative environment in regards to our media’s outlook on the future.

Today Americans living below the poverty lines are better than you think.  They are light years ahead of the wealthiest Americans from just a century ago.  Today 99% of Americans living below the poverty line have electricity, water, flushing toilets, and a refrigerator; 95% have a television; 88% have a telephone; 71% have a car; and 70% have air conditioning.  A hundred years ago the rich had few of these luxuries.

Thomas Friedman’s Flat World talked about the planet being like a row of dominoes.  If you topple one challenge (domino) others will follow suit. Abundance talks about the pyramid that must be in place to change the world:

Base of Pyramid- Providing sufficient water, food and shelter.

Level 2 – Energy

Level 3 – Eduction

Level 4 – Information/Communication.

Top of Pyramid – Freedom & Health

Abundance is not about providing everyone on the planet with a life of luxury – rather it’s about providing all with a life of possibility.

The more all people around the globe can contribute to society…. then I too believe that we can make the world a much better place.

The book is available in hardback or e-book on Amazon if you are looking for a good read.