This Could Be Our Future audiobook cover - A Manifesto for a More Generous World

This Could Be Our Future

A Manifesto for a More Generous World

Yancey Strickler

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Society & CultureEconomicsEntrepreneurship

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This Could Be Our Future
The Dominance of Financial Maximization+
Consequences of Profit-Only Thinking+
Bentoism: A New Decision Framework+
Applying Broader Values+
The Path Forward+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What does Yancey Strickler mean by the term 'financial maximization'?
  • A. The economic strategy of saving money for future generations rather than spending it now.
  • B. The idea that nothing but money-making should guide the actions of businesses and individuals.
  • C. The process of diversifying corporate investments to ensure long-term financial security.
  • D. The government's effort to increase the Gross Domestic Product through deregulation.
Question 2 of 8
According to the book, how did the RAND Corporation's use of game theory, specifically the prisoner's dilemma, influence modern business?
  • A. It proved that cooperation and loyalty always yield the highest long-term financial returns.
  • B. It demonstrated that businesses should prioritize employee well-being over shareholder profits.
  • C. It provided a framework that justified maximizing immediate gains, fostering a climate of greed and distrust.
  • D. It established the legal foundation for the deregulation of corporate monopolies in the 1980s.
Question 3 of 8
Why does the author argue that financial maximization has 'made everything the same' in the entertainment industry?
  • A. Because audiences naturally prefer familiar stories and repetitive music over new, original ideas.
  • B. Because businesses view art strictly as an investment, favoring safe bets like movie sequels and consolidated radio playlists.
  • C. Because government regulations require radio stations and movie studios to produce standardized content.
  • D. Because independent artists lack the talent to compete with the creative output of large corporate studios.
Question 4 of 8
Which of the following best describes the strategy often used by the 'Maximizing Class' to extract wealth?
  • A. Investing heavily in employee training and development to increase overall productivity.
  • B. Funding grassroots community projects to build brand loyalty and secure long-term consumer trust.
  • C. Lowering executive compensation to reinvest profits into sustainable, environmentally friendly technologies.
  • D. Merging businesses, cutting costs through mass firings, reducing service quality, and eventually abandoning the busted company.
Question 5 of 8
What flaw in using Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a metric of national success does the author highlight?
  • A. It fails to account for the spending of the top one percent of earners.
  • B. It does not accurately track the inflation rates of basic necessities like housing and healthcare.
  • C. It only measures money, meaning negative events like treating a disease or getting a divorce actually boost the GDP.
  • D. It places too much emphasis on the well-being and happiness of the average citizen.
Question 6 of 8
In the decision-making framework called 'Bentoism', what does the 'Future Us' compartment represent?
  • A. The financial investments you make today to secure your personal retirement.
  • B. The values you consider regarding the kind of world you want future generations to inherit.
  • C. The legacy of purpose, mastery, and grit you want to achieve as an individual.
  • D. The immediate needs and values of your family, friends, and colleagues.
Question 7 of 8
How did the singer Adele demonstrate a shift away from pure financial maximization?
  • A. She released her music exclusively on a crowdfunding platform to bypass major record labels.
  • B. She increased her concert ticket prices to ensure only her most dedicated fans could afford to attend.
  • C. She partnered with a start-up to ensure tickets went to loyal fans rather than scalpers, maximizing fairness over profit.
  • D. She refused to sell merchandise at her concerts to protest the homogenization of the music industry.
Question 8 of 8
Based on historical examples like jogging and quitting smoking, how long does the author suggest it takes for society to experience significant change and adopt new norms?
  • A. About 10 years
  • B. About 30 years
  • C. About 50 years
  • D. About 100 years

This Could Be Our Future — Full Chapter Overview

This Could Be Our Future Summary & Overview

This Could Be Our Future (2019) is a manifesto for a better tomorrow – a future world that isn’t ruled solely by money, but by all forms of value that humanity produces. Former Kickstarter CEO Yancey Strickler explains how our modern obsession with “financial maximization” has led society astray – bankrupting institutions, stifling innovation, and starving creativity – and what we can do to adjust our course. 

Who Should Listen to This Could Be Our Future?

  • Critical capitalists and suspicious socialists 
  • Entrepreneurs and business owners ready to make a difference
  • Anyone who suspects that there is more to life than money

About the Author: Yancey Strickler

Yancey Strickler is a writer, entrepreneur, and public speaker. He is the cofounder and former CEO of Kickstarter, a crowdfunding platform for creative projects. Strickler has given talks at the Museum of Modern Art, in New York City; at the Sundance Film Festival; and at MIT. In 2015, he was recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. 

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