The Lights in the Tunnel: Automation, Accelerating Technology and the Economy of the Future Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Other reviewers have summarized the book in detail, so I won't. I'll just emphasize the bottom line:
Machines are fast approaching humans in terms of *mental* labor capacity, not just *physical* labor capacity. In the past as machines took over much of our physical labor, we were then free to turn to more valuable mental labor. But once machines take over much of our mental labor, then what do we turn to for employment?
The author makes a very compelling case that this situation will arise, and likely within the next few decades. And he also lays out some rather bold suggestions to delay the shock of the resulting high unemployment and allow us to transition to an inevitably new type of economy as smoothly as possible. Though, even with these suggestions, I expect this transition is not likely to be smooth.
This book is a very important, frank discussion of a pending time-bomb for our precious mass market economy. Read it and recommend it to others. And think about how you and your family and friends will manage the forthcoming transition.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Lights in the Tunnel: Automation, Accelerating Technology and the Economy of the Future

What will the economy of the future look like? Where will advancing technology, job automation, outsourcing and globalization lead? This groundbreaking book by a Silicon Valley computer engineer explores these questions and shows how accelerating technology is likely to have a highly disruptive influence on our economy in the near future--and may well already be a significant factor in the current global crisis. THE LIGHTS IN THE TUNNEL employs a powerful thought experiment to explore the economy of the future.An imaginary "tunnel of lights" is used to visualize the economic implications of the new technologies that are likely to appear in the coming years and decades. The book directly challenges conventional views of the future and illuminates the danger that lies ahead if we do not plan for the impact of rapidly advancing technology. It also shows how the economic realities of the future might offer solutions to issues such as poverty and climate change.

Click here for more information about The Lights in the Tunnel: Automation, Accelerating Technology and the Economy of the Future

Read More...

The Networked Nonprofit: Connecting with Social Media to Drive Change Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Allison Fine and Beth Kanter have impressed me with their perspective and insight into the opportunities that evolving technologies represent for the nonprofit sector. I read Momentum in 2006, and have read Kanter's blog for years, so I was excited to read this book. I was disappointed to learn that it offered nothing that hasn't been portrayed in their earlier works, and found it to be a rudimentary introduction that had no compelling crux bringing everything together.
While the book might be useful for those who are looking for an introduction to the promise of social networks for nonprofits, I actually found Momentum to be better-organized and more compelling (and still relevant), and have found more useful info (though no better organized) in Beth's top-ten blog posts [...]. There seemed to be little original research behind this book, only interesting-but-anecdotal examples of successes and trends in the nonprofit sector, and no comprehensive explorations of results experienced across any range of organizations (time-savings, increased expenses, cost-shifts, increased membership, etc).
I don't think nonprofits will find this book useful as a guide for how to replicate the examples provided, though it will help open their eyes to the same new ways of thinking that are presented in Momentum and Beth's Blog.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Networked Nonprofit: Connecting with Social Media to Drive Change

The Networked Nonprofit Connecting with Social Media to Drive Change
This groundbreaking book shows nonprofits a new way of operating in our increasingly connected world: a networked approach enabled by social technologies, where connections are leveraged to increase impact in effective ways that drive change for the betterment of our society and planet.
"The Networked Nonprofit is a must-read for any nonprofit organization seeking innovative, creative techniques to improve their mission and better serve their communities."—Diana Aviv, president and CEO, Independent Sector
"The Internet means never having to ask permission before trying something new. In The Networked Nonprofit, Kanter and Fine show nonprofits how to harness this flexibility to pursue their missions in partnership with two billion connected citizens."—Clay Shirky, author, Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations
"The Networked Nonprofit uniquely describes the historical context and the current challenges that compel nonprofit leaders to work in networked ways and offers easy steps to help users exploit the potential of social media and 'working wikily."'—Stephanie McAuliffe, director, organizational effectiveness, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
"A must-read for nonprofit leaders who want to change their organizations from the inside out by embracing the power of social networks."—Charlene Li, founding partner, Altimeter Group; author, Open Leadership; and coauthor, Groundswell
"This is a perfect handbook for anyone who wants to leapfrog their current limitations of understanding and find real-world applications of technology to extend their mission."—Michele Nunn, CEO, Points of Light Institute, and cofounder, HandsOn Network
"Kanter and Fine provide the 'Google Maps' for nonprofits to harness social media to kick butt and change the world."—Guy Kawasaki, cofounder, Alltop.com, and former chief evangelist, Apple Inc.
"URGENT! Read this book. Take notes. Take action. If you work for a nonprofit, you don't have to do every single thing these seasoned authors have to share, but you certainly have to know what you're missing."—Seth Godin
Register at www.josseybass.com/emailfor more information on our publications, authors, and to receive special offers.

Click here for more information about The Networked Nonprofit: Connecting with Social Media to Drive Change

Read More...