The Optimist's Telescope

Thinking Ahead in a Reckless Age

De: Bina Venkataraman

Narrado por: Bina Venkataraman

Named a Best Book of 2019 by NPR

“How might we mitigate losses caused by shortsightedness? Bina Venkataraman, a former climate adviser to the Obama administration, brings a storyteller’s eye to this question. . . . She is also deeply informed about the relevant science.” —The New York Times Book Review

A trailblazing exploration of how we can plan better for the future: our own, our families’, and our society’s.

Instant gratification is the norm today—in our lives, our culture, our economy, and our politics. Many of us have forgotten (if we ever learned) how to make smart decisions for the long run. Whether it comes to our finances, our health, our communities, or our planet, it’s easy to avoid thinking ahead.

The consequences of this immediacy are stark: Deadly outbreaks spread because leaders failed to act on early warning signs. Companies that fail to invest stagnate and fall behind. Hurricanes and wildfires turn deadly for communities that could have taken more precaution. Today more than ever, all of us need to know how we can make better long-term decisions in our lives, businesses, and society.

Bina Venkataraman sees the way forward. A journalist and former adviser in the Obama White House, she helped communities and businesses prepare for climate change, and she learned firsthand why people don’t think ahead—and what can be done to change that. In The Optimist’s Telescope, she draws from stories she has reported around the world and new research in biology, psychology, and economics to explain how we can make decisions that benefit us over time. With examples from ancient Pompeii to modern-day Fukushima, she dispels the myth that human nature is impossibly reckless and highlights the surprising practices each of us can adopt in our own lives—and the ones we must fight for as a society. The result is a book brimming with the ideas and insights all of us need in order to forge a better future.

A great systems and measures book

This book is an excellent resource for leaders who would like to start making decisions using long term thinking and use systems thinking effectively. The book also provides several poignant examples of potential negative effects of hastily chosen measures with myopic thinking. There can be a large chasm between an objective and it’s measures. This well written and well narrated book provides insights into ways by which appropriate foresight and balanced measures can make al the difference. It reminds us of the proverb the measure will drive the behavior- sometimes literally blindly!

Crucial strategies for business, people, and the planet’s future

The author’s stories about where future casting and planning g has worked, hasn’t worked, and what we can learn from it going forward were so helpful.

For those needing the quick synopsis to then go back and be more open to the pace and breadth of her case studies, flip to the CODA in the back. But believe me, you’ll want to read the entire riveting case for foresight - in one’s personal life, in one’s business, and in one’s community and movements for change.

Thought provoking.

This book was was excellent. I found the information and strategies inspiring and pragmatic. I highly recommend it.

Awe inspiring! did not want it to end!

This author needs to write another book asap! Wonderful insight from meetings and conversations with an eclectic group of philosophical people from many backgrounds with impressive resumes, Venkataraman is delightful and passionate!

Even more relevant.

It's clear some countries and institutions were woefully underprepared for the Covid pandemic. This book will help you look forward and stop near term indulgences. Whether you are an executive or family member you can influence to improve the lives of future people.