In 'Farsighted', Steven Johnson explores the concept of long-term thinking in a world obsessed with immediate results. The book uncovers how our ability to forecast and anticipate future consequences can profoundly impact innovation and decision-making. Johnson blends storytelling with scientific insights, encouraging readers to cultivate a farsighted perspective in their personal and professional lives. With captivating examples from technology, history, and culture, he challenges us to rethink our approach to problem-solving. This compelling read not only unveils the power of foresight but also inspires a deeper understanding of how to shape a better future.
By Steven Johnson
Published: 2018
"In a world where everything is interconnected, our ability to foresee the consequences of our actions shapes the future more profoundly than we realize."
The hardest choices are also the most consequential. So why do we know so little about how to get them right? Big, life-altering decisions matter so much more than the decisions we make every day, and they're also the most difficult: where to live, whom to marry, what to believe, whether to start a company, how to end a war. There's no one-size-fits-all approach for addressing these kinds of conundrums. Steven Johnson's classic Where Good Ideas Come From inspired creative people all over the world with new ways of thinking about innovation. In Farsighted, he uncovers powerful tools for honing the important skill of complex decision-making. While you can't model a once-in-a-lifetime choice, you can model the deliberative tactics of expert decision-makers. These experts aren't just the master strategists running major companies or negotiating high-level diplomacy. They're the novelists who draw out the complexity of their characters' inner lives, the city officials who secure long-term water supplies, and the scientists who reckon with future challenges most of us haven't even imagined. The smartest decision-makers don't go with their guts. Their success relies on having a future-oriented approach and the ability to consider all their options in a creative, productive way. Through compelling stories that reveal surprising insights, Johnson explains how we can most effectively approach the choices that can chart the course of a life, an organization, or a civilization. Farsighted will help you imagine your possible futures and appreciate the subtle intelligence of the choices that shaped our broader social history.
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“In a world where everything is interconnected, our ability to foresee the consequences of our actions shapes the future more profoundly than we realize.”
Farsighted
By Steven Johnson
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Steven Johnson is an acclaimed author and media theorist known for his engaging exploration of the intersection between science, technology, and culture. He has written numerous bestsellers, including 'Where Good Ideas Come From,' 'Everything Bad Is Good for You,' and 'The Ghost Map.' Johnson's writing style is characterized by a narrative approach that blends personal anecdotes with rigorous research, making complex ideas accessible and engaging for a broad audience. Through his work, he often encourages readers to examine the underlying patterns of innovation and the dynamics of urban life, making him a prominent voice in contemporary non-fiction.
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