Thursday, September 19, 2013
“You are the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things: the books you read and the people you meet.” – Charlie Jones
Back in January I recommended two books that could offer some insight into the high tech future of medicine and dentistry. The Creative Destruction of Medicine: How the Digital Revolution Will Create Better Healthcare by Eric Topol, MD, and The Innovator’s Prescription: A Disruptive Solution for Healthcare by Clayton M. Christensen.
Here are three more books that offer a more general and a highly optimistic look into the future.
Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think by Peter H. Diamandis
Throughout history people have been predicting dire consequences related to whatever the latest, newest development might be (the machines, the Internet, video games, genetics, CO2). It is considered a sign of foolish ignorance to suggest things will get better. However, the reality is the history of humankind is one long journey toward prosperity. Nevertheless, despite the evidence of thousands of years we continually expect the apocalypse to descend upon us at any moment.
Peter Diamandis and his co-author Steven Kotler make the case that things are better now than they have ever been, and what is more, we are on the verge of eliminating the scarcity economy that has ruled our existence. We are rapidly approaching abundance.
We will soon be able to meet and exceed the basic needs of every man, woman and child on the planet. Abundance for all is within our grasp.
This bold prediction is backed up by exhaustive research, and confidently predicts a near-term future, where exponentially growing technologies will provide practical solutions to the world's most pressing concerns: overpopulation, food, water, energy, education, health care and freedom.
Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations by Clay Shirky
If you are one of the millions who think Facebook is foolish and have dismissed online social interaction with the phrase, “I don’t care what so and so had for breakfast,” or something similar, then this book can help you see social media in a new light. The book helps you understand both why online social interaction makes a difference and what to do about it.
Here Comes Everybody is a fun easy read that uses stories to show you how the rapid, revolutionary spread of new forms of social interaction supported by technology and the Internet are changing the way humans form groups and how we exist within those groups.
Blogs, wikis, social media and other web 2.0 inventions are revolutionizing the social order with profound long-term economic and social effects. This books breaks down the changes these technologies are spurring.
The Man Who Lied to His Laptop: What Machines Teach Us About Human Relationships by Clifford Nass
This little gem combines psychology and technology in a surprising way that provides intriguing insights into the human condition. When dealing with machines we are all too human.
Although this book is based on technology, what it really can teach us is how to better understand ourselves and how to interact effectively with the rest of humanity. The man who lied to his laptop did so in order not to hurt its feelings. You probably think that is foolish but after you read this book you will realize that we all do it, that is what makes us human.
What will our profession be like in five years? Even more importantly what will you be like in five years? The future is coming and it will be amazing!