Without Their Permission Book Summary

In 'Without Their Permission,' Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian shares his journey from aspiring entrepreneur to tech visionary. He emphasizes the power of the internet to create opportunities without needing anyone's approval. Ohanian's insights are filled with practical advice for aspiring creators, urging them to harness their passions and build their own platforms. Through compelling anecdotes, he reveals how innovation can disrupt traditional industries and change lives. This book is a rallying cry for the next generation of thinkers to embrace their potential and forge their own paths.

By Alexis Ohanian

Published: 2016

"The future is unwritten, and it’s up to you to write your own story—don’t wait for permission, take the leap and create your own path."

Book Review of Without Their Permission

A WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER As Alexis Ohanian learned when he helped to co-found the immensely popular reddit.com, the internet is the most powerful and democratic tool for disseminating information in human history. And when that power is harnessed to create new communities, technologies, businesses or charities, the results can be absolutely stunning. In this book, Alexis will share his ideas, tips and even his own doodles about harnessing the power of the web for good, and along the way, he will share his philosophy with young entrepreneurs all over the globe. At 29, Ohanian has come to personify the dorm-room tech entrepreneur, changing the world without asking permission. Within a couple of years of graduating from the University of Virginia, Ohanian did just that, selling reddit for millions of dollars. He's gone on to start many other companies, like hipmunk and breadpig, all while representing Y Combinator and investing in over sixty other tech startups. WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION is his personal guidebook as to how other aspiring entrepreneurs can follow in his footsteps.

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The future is unwritten, and it’s up to you to write your own story—don’t wait for permission, take the leap and create your own path.

Without Their Permission

By Alexis Ohanian