Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet
Product ID: 536080959
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A potent exploration of the power of blockchains to reshape the future of the internet—and how that affects us all—from influential technology entrepreneur and startup investor Chris Dixon “A must for anyone who wants to better understand the real potential of blockchains and web3.”—Robert Iger, CEO, Disney “A compelling vision of where the internet should go and how to get there.”—Sam Altman, co-founder, OpenAI The internet of today is a far cry from its early promise of a decentralized, democratic network of innovation, connection, and freedom. In the past decade, it has fallen almost entirely under the control of a very small group of companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook. In Read Write Own, tech visionary Chris Dixon argues that the dream of an open network for fostering creativity and entrepreneurship doesn’t have to die and can, in fact, be saved with blockchain networks. He separates this movement, which aims to provide a solid foundation for everything from social networks to artificial intelligence to virtual worlds, from cryptocurrency speculation—a distinction he calls “the computer vs. the casino.” With lucid and compelling prose—drawing from a twenty-five-year career in the software industry—Dixon shows how the internet has undergone three distinct eras, bringing us to the critical moment we’re in today. The first was the “read” era, in which early networks democratized information. In the “read-write” era, corporate networks democratized publishing. We are now in the midst of the “read-write-own” era, sometimes called web3, in which blockchain networks are granting power and economic benefits to communities of users, not just corporations. Read Write Own is a must-read for anyone—internet users, business leaders, creators, entrepreneurs—who wants to understand where we’ve been and where we’re going. It provides a vision for a better internet and a playbook to navigate and build the future. Review: Best book on the future of online networks - I don't review many books, but I thought Chris Dixon's Read Write Own deserved some attention. This is nominally a book about web3 or crypto, but it's really more than that. It's (1) a history of our online age told through the lens of how networks work; (2) a well-argued diatribe against our current online lives, which are controlled by a handful of large companies and their CEOS; and (3) a well-grounded and -reasoned glimpse into our possible networked future. The book also provides some useful mental models, like the "casino versus the computer," that help to clarify the industry. The author also calls for regulation and ties the success of blockchain computing to American dynamism in the future. We need to encourage entrepreneurs and startups as part of the engine of the U.S. economy. He also provides a bunch of use-cases for the technology that go well beyond just speculative betting on tokens (which he decries). I also really enjoyed the author's style; Dixon has a knack for useful metaphors. And I think his digression into software as art is just lovely. Review: Clear excellent explanation of the internet - A book about keeping the internet and information pipelines de-centralized from a partner in probably the most famous venture capital firm, Andreessen-Horowitz. Almost a call for revolution and rising up against the castles of power held by Facebook, Google and others, coming from someone who has made a living doing it. His description of the Read era, the Write era and now the Own era matches up exactly with my experiences with the internet and information age going back to the 1980s. I kept saying to myself oh yeah I remember that and that's when I took the next step. Extensive writing on the ownership of intellectual property and the blockchain. Also bitcoin providing full disclosure of transactions with immutable limit on circulation, preventing debasement of it's currency, which protects smaller operators who have less ability to game the system.
| Best Sellers Rank | #219,889 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #2 in Other Databases #32 in Internet & Telecommunications #68 in Computers & Technology Industry |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 791 Reviews |
T**S
Best book on the future of online networks
I don't review many books, but I thought Chris Dixon's Read Write Own deserved some attention. This is nominally a book about web3 or crypto, but it's really more than that. It's (1) a history of our online age told through the lens of how networks work; (2) a well-argued diatribe against our current online lives, which are controlled by a handful of large companies and their CEOS; and (3) a well-grounded and -reasoned glimpse into our possible networked future. The book also provides some useful mental models, like the "casino versus the computer," that help to clarify the industry. The author also calls for regulation and ties the success of blockchain computing to American dynamism in the future. We need to encourage entrepreneurs and startups as part of the engine of the U.S. economy. He also provides a bunch of use-cases for the technology that go well beyond just speculative betting on tokens (which he decries). I also really enjoyed the author's style; Dixon has a knack for useful metaphors. And I think his digression into software as art is just lovely.
M**N
Clear excellent explanation of the internet
A book about keeping the internet and information pipelines de-centralized from a partner in probably the most famous venture capital firm, Andreessen-Horowitz. Almost a call for revolution and rising up against the castles of power held by Facebook, Google and others, coming from someone who has made a living doing it. His description of the Read era, the Write era and now the Own era matches up exactly with my experiences with the internet and information age going back to the 1980s. I kept saying to myself oh yeah I remember that and that's when I took the next step. Extensive writing on the ownership of intellectual property and the blockchain. Also bitcoin providing full disclosure of transactions with immutable limit on circulation, preventing debasement of it's currency, which protects smaller operators who have less ability to game the system.
K**C
Well written, with some typical narratives
Dixon writes with great skill and clarity. He lays out known facts and benefits of blockchain tech and in that sense, this piece is a good intro for all Ethereum or Bitcoin enthusiasts. I have only two problems - the practical future use cases are old narratives (social, metaverse, daos, tokenomized startups etc.) which we already saw that it’s not working and that “technology” is not the problem here. Which leads me to a second problem - his thinking is overly influenced by the valley’s “monetization of interaction” needs. Which, again, we saw that is a limited affair. He missed the oportunity the more thouroughly define what could be the next building blocks of digital economy - more details about dolarizing the non-us users, tokenizing real world assets, composable ecommerce to name a few
R**S
The definitive book on crypto as a technology
There are a number of books out there about crypto as a political/monetary phenomenon, but there has yet to be a comprehensive book about crypto as a technology - until this one. This is THE book to read if you want to understand what crypto is from a technological perspective and how it could change the world. It reads at a level that is accessible enough for your mom who can’t even work the WiFi while simultaneously being technical enough for hardcore technology fans to also learn about crypto.
W**Y
Must Read for sure
Anyone that is "dabbling" in blockchain, or crypto, or web3 or being on-chain(I'm sure a name will be settled on eventually ) need to read this. Anyone that has no idea what I just said, need to read this. Don't get left behind with all that is going on in front of you because the realit is that in not keeping up with the advancement in tech and not adapting, this can affect...will affect your future earnings. I would also add reading Cult of the Dead Cow and Space Rogue to get a good idea of the internet before the internet. There are many parallels to what was happening then to what is happening now in "cyberspace."
L**R
Inspiring, thoughtful and easy to understand
I could not put this book down. I really wanted to understand what was at the heart of this crypto craze. Crypto and blockchain are quite different than how it’s characterized by the media. The book is full of great stories, simple analogies and lessons that has now inspired me to dig deeper into the right aspects of blockchain. The book makes it incredibly clear that great entrepreneurs should use this next evolution of technology to build their own business without the dangers of being on a “corporate platform” that reaps all the benefits and pillages your business. It made very “scary” concepts easy to understand, and I now have a resource to refer back to as I explain this emerging space to others.
E**N
Fair
Chris uses the word "fair" 11 times (thank you Kindle) in his book to highlight big companies are not "fair" (too focused on profits, shareholders, providing job opportunities, etc.) Give me a break. Blockchains will deliver numerous applications to allow consumers to reduce costs, speed transactions, generate revenue, etc. Fairness has nothing to do with it. Otherwise, for those new to blockchain and technology, he provides a good overview.
J**D
Important Discussion on the Future of the Internet
I read through this book in a single sitting. Chris finds a way to take a highly technical topic and condense it down to something easily understandable. I couldn’t be more pumped on what the future looks like for a digital world that is more reflective of the physical world built in large part on Blockchain networks and true digital ownership to counter the Corporate networks and the leases on our digital identities that we have come to accept. Could not recommend more to people with little-to-no background Web3/blockchain technologies and people who have an understanding but want to learn more about how they can shape the future of the internet.
D**R
Well written and meant to be read a few times
I read this book slowly so I could digest the current status of blockchain and the future opportunities. There is a lot to think about.
L**S
Faszinierendes Buch über die Zukunft des Internets – klar, tiefgründig und inspirierend
Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet ist ein beeindruckendes Werk, das die Entwicklung des Webs von den Anfängen bis zur Zukunft des dezentralen Internets erklärt. Der Autor beschreibt verständlich, wie sich digitale Eigentumsrechte, Blockchain‑Technologien und neue Formen der Online‑Partizipation entwickeln könnten. Besonders stark ist die klare Struktur: komplexe Themen wie Web3, digitale Identität und Datenhoheit werden greifbar und praxisnah erklärt. Das Buch regt zum Nachdenken an, ohne zu überfordern – ideal für alle, die verstehen wollen, wohin sich das Internet bewegt. Ein inspirierendes, gut geschriebenes Buch, das technologische Tiefe mit gesellschaftlicher Relevanz verbindet. Klare Empfehlung für alle, die sich für Zukunft, Technologie und digitale Freiheit interessieren.
M**A
A MUST Read for Entrepreneurs
I just finished reading it and just WOW 🤯 This is definitely a MUST read for all the entrepreneurs especially if you are in Web3 ✅️
L**A
L
Excelente libro
J**S
Gives immense motivation to work towards the cause
Iam a developer in a blockchain company. I came into the field during last bull run and was really disappointed by all that happened in the field. But after starting to read this book, feel immense motivation to continue in this career path and contribute towards better decentralised systems that will improve internet.
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