The Sixth Wave: How to Succeed in a Resource-Limited World

by James Bradfield Moody, Bianca Nogrady

Making predictions about the future is a dangerous game, particularly when that future has never looked more uncertain. Natural resources are dwindling and we are wasting the resources we do have at an unparalleled rate. Climate change threatens our way of life and digital technology is advancing at such a rate as to leave many of us baffled.  But far from being all "doom and gloom," these signs point to the emergence of an exciting new wave of innovation. Throughout modern history, the tide of innovation and progress has ebbed and flowed but a clear pattern exists—five waves of innovation, beginning with the Industrial Revolution, have each transformed society, economies, and industry. The fifth wave was dominated by information and communications technology but its peak is beginning to fade and a new, brighter star is emerging. The sixth wave of innovation will be about resources—natural resources, human resources, and information. With the challenge of a planet running out of essential supplies and a population staring down the barrel of Malthus' dire predictions, the sixth wave will see humanity finally make the break away from resource-dependence. Economic growth will no longer be tied to resource consumption or waste production (such as carbon) and industry will no longer think in terms of products but in terms of services.  Everything, from the smallest leaf and light switch to the largest cities and online communities, will have a value that can be measured, so nothing is ever wasted.  Driving this will be a spectacular boom in technologies ranging from clean technology to digital mapping to online collaboration. Traditional physical and geographical boundaries will mean nothing in a world where everything and everyone is online. This book is for anyone who is interested in understanding how all of the massive changes in the world fit together, in particular those who wish to understand and take advantage of the changes that are occurring around us. This is a business book, a motivational book, a popular science title, a bold prediction, and a roadmap for the future all in one.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Sustainability

312 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2010

Reviews

[Haesoo · Rating 2 out of 5]

.....admittedly not my most favorite book ever. Looks like a late-ish addition to the bandwagon of the numbered waves that people started and then the cliche started getting out of hand? Yeah, that's how I felt about this one.

And as books about the environment and sustainable development are prone to, this one was also SO BORING. I mean, things get old after a while, and if these environmentalists are serious about getting out a message then they should start off with not creating horrible writing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a pretty avid environmentalist. I feel guilty about my environment harming choices all the time and actually cringe when teachers give out ten-page handouts not made of recycled paper that will be thrown out 99% of the time. But some people need a better way to phrase it, and that way is not this book.

And it's just - it's just so frustrating. It started with Silent Spring, and it was a fascinating book, it really was, until it started to devote its capacity to blandly listing environmental crises here and there and everywhere which are pretty much the same sans the names of things; this, along with Earth in Mind, is doing a horrible job of passing on the legacy.

And the thing is, I get that it's about letting people know how far and wide out the problem is existing, but redundant stating of tragedies serve no other purpose than to numb the people's brains of the idea. I'm pretty sure not a lot of people, even environmental advocates, have read through the entirety of Silent Spring; read the first couple of chapters and it would have already got its intent of instilling awareness. If one goes farther.... Maybe it's just me but looking at the redundancy of such problems on literally EVERY environmentalist book I've read, maybe it's not.

[Motlib · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book looking at the theory of the long waves of innovation, particularly focusing on the fifth wave, ICT, and how it and other waves can be used to predict a sixth wave. The authors predict the low resource economy as the sixth wave. The book is insightful particularly in explaining the interdependent nature of supply and demand in the theory of innovation.

However, the book does not look at alternative explanations of long waves, that are only observations of economic history. Hence, it's slightly biased. Further, although the prediction of the sixth is well written, it does not look at what other sectors/technologies may provide the next wave. In terms of prediction it doesn't go to the point as to predict when this will be or whether we are already in it - which is sensible.

That being said its very insightful on what it does focus on, and it's explained in a very engrossing style that brings the theory to life!

Bit about long wave theory: Schumpeter developed the work of Kondratiev on long and connected it to his theory of innovation. Schumpeter identified 3 stages to this innovation process: (I) invention, first demonstration of an idea; (ii) innovation, first commercial application in market of idea; and diffusion, spreading of idea/tech' throughout the market. Schumpeter uses the term 'creative destruction' where new ideas/technologies replace old ideas and technologies. The first observed wave was the industrial revolution (1875-1920) and the fifth wave is ICT (1972-present).

[Todd Copeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insightful read that gets you thinking about opportunities and challenges we face in our future lives. it's all about minimizing waste in our society and innovative ways people are approaching this challenge. if you want a break from a your Novel reading this is a great easy read to pick up that will open your eyes and minds to what lies ahead for society and our environment.

[Bill Withers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opened up a way of thinking that is optimistic and thought-provoking. Well written and argued premise.