This Could Be Our Future

This Could Be Our Future presents a critique of financial maximization as society's dominant value system. The book examines how the prioritization of monetary returns above all else has shaped modern institutions and decision-making. Strickler draws from his experience as co-founder of Kickstarter to illustrate alternative ways of defining value and success. He introduces frameworks for incorporating non-financial values into organizations and offers case studies of companies and leaders who operate beyond pure profit motives. Through research and real-world examples, the book outlines specific tools and methods for building what Strickler terms a "multi-value" future. The narrative moves between economic theory, practical business applications, and societal implications. The work challenges readers to question core assumptions about progress, growth, and human nature. At its foundation, this is an exploration of how societies determine what matters and how those choices shape our collective trajectory.

Readers describe This Could Be Our Future as an idealistic critique of market-driven decision making, with practical suggestions for incorporating non-financial values into business and life choices. Readers appreciated: - Clear framework for making value-based decisions - Personal anecdotes from Kickstarter's early days - Concrete examples of companies prioritizing more than profits - Accessible writing style for complex economic concepts Common criticisms: - Arguments seen as oversimplified - Too focused on tech industry examples - Limited practical applications for average readers - Some concepts feel repetitive Multiple readers noted the book works better as a conversation starter than a detailed economic analysis. Several mentioned it pairs well with Kate Raworth's Doughnut Economics. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) "Thought-provoking but lacks depth in implementation details" summarizes many reader reviews.

Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire by Rebecca Henderson A systemic examination of how business and society can move beyond pure profit maximization to create sustainable value for multiple stakeholders.

Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth An economic framework that balances human needs with planetary boundaries through a redesign of fundamental economic principles.

The Value of Everything by Mariana Mazzucato A breakdown of how modern economies determine value and why current metrics fail to capture genuine wealth creation.

The Good Jobs Strategy by Zeynep Ton Research-based analysis demonstrating how companies can create value by investing in employees while maintaining profitability.

The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek An exploration of how organizations can move beyond short-term metrics to build lasting, meaningful impact through purpose-driven approaches.

🌟 Author Yancey Strickler co-founded Kickstarter in 2009, leading it to become one of the largest and most influential crowdfunding platforms in the world 🌟 The book introduces the concept of "Bentoism," a decision-making framework that considers not just your present self, but also your future self, your community, and the world at large 🌟 Strickler developed his theories after witnessing how the pursuit of financial maximization alone led to negative outcomes during his tenure as Kickstarter's CEO 🌟 The book challenges the notion of "financial maximization" that has dominated Western business thinking since the 1970s, suggesting it has become a destructive default setting for society 🌟 The title "This Could Be Our Future" was inspired by a phrase commonly used on Kickstarter project pages, reflecting the platform's role in helping people imagine and create alternative futures