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We Are as Gods: A Survival Guide for the Age of Abundance
From the New York Times bestselling authors of Abundance, Bold, and The Future Is Faster Than You Think comes a bold exploration of what it means to stay human in a world where technology has granted us godlike power.
In 1968, Stewart Brand “We are as gods—and we might as well get good at it.” Half a century later, that prophecy has come true.
We can rewrite genes, edit embryos, build artificial minds, extend life, and terraform worlds. The old miracles—omniscience, omnipresence, even resurrection—are becoming standard operating procedure. But the real question isn’t whether humanity can play god. It’s whether we can do it wisely.
In We Are As A Survival Guide for the Age of Abundance, Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler—bestselling authors of Abundance and Bold—return with a sweeping exploration of our species’ next great transformation. Blending hard science with vivid storytelling, they chart humanity’s ascent from scarcity to superabundance—and the psychological, ethical, and existential challenges that come with it.
Across breakthroughs in AI, robotics, genetics, longevity, and consciousness research, they reveal a paradox at the heart of as our external power expands, our inner resilience must evolve to match. Abundance without meaning leads to collapse. Intelligence without wisdom leads to extinction. To thrive in a world of everything, everywhere, all the time, we must learn to wield our godlike powers with humility, creativity, and flow.
Equal parts warning and invitation, We Are As Gods is a map for flourishing in the exponential century. Because the future won’t be built by those who fear what’s coming, but by those who know how to turn chaos into creation.
Abundance is here. Are you ready?
In 1968, Stewart Brand “We are as gods—and we might as well get good at it.” Half a century later, that prophecy has come true.
We can rewrite genes, edit embryos, build artificial minds, extend life, and terraform worlds. The old miracles—omniscience, omnipresence, even resurrection—are becoming standard operating procedure. But the real question isn’t whether humanity can play god. It’s whether we can do it wisely.
In We Are As A Survival Guide for the Age of Abundance, Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler—bestselling authors of Abundance and Bold—return with a sweeping exploration of our species’ next great transformation. Blending hard science with vivid storytelling, they chart humanity’s ascent from scarcity to superabundance—and the psychological, ethical, and existential challenges that come with it.
Across breakthroughs in AI, robotics, genetics, longevity, and consciousness research, they reveal a paradox at the heart of as our external power expands, our inner resilience must evolve to match. Abundance without meaning leads to collapse. Intelligence without wisdom leads to extinction. To thrive in a world of everything, everywhere, all the time, we must learn to wield our godlike powers with humility, creativity, and flow.
Equal parts warning and invitation, We Are As Gods is a map for flourishing in the exponential century. Because the future won’t be built by those who fear what’s coming, but by those who know how to turn chaos into creation.
Abundance is here. Are you ready?
- GenresTechnology
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2026
About the author
Peter H. Diamandis
35 books766 followersDr. Peter H. Diamandis is an international pioneer in the fields of innovation, incentive competitions and commercial space. In 2014 he was named one of "The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders" – by Fortune Magazine.
In the field of Innovation, Diamandis is Founder and Executive Chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation, best known for its $10 million Ansari XPRIZE for private spaceflight.
Diamandis is also the Co-Founder and Vice-Chairman of Human Longevity Inc. (HLI), a genomics and cell therapy-based diagnostic and therapeutic company focused on extending the healthy human lifespan. He is also the Executive Founder of Singularity University, a graduate-level Silicon Valley institution that studies exponentially growing technologies, their ability to transform industries and solve humanity’s grand challenges.
In the field of commercial space, Diamandis is Co-Founder/Co-Chairman of Planetary Resources, a company designing spacecraft to enable the detection and prospecting of asteroid for precious materials. He is also the Co-Founder of Space Adventures and Zero-Gravity Corporation.
Diamandis is the New York Times Bestselling author of Abundance – The Future Is Better Than You Think and BOLD – How to go Big, Create Wealth & Impact the World.
He earned an undergraduate degree in Molecular Genetics and a graduate degree in Aerospace Engineering from MIT, and received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School.
Diamandis’ mission is to open the space frontier for humanity. His personal motto is: "The best way to predict the future is to create it yourself."
In 2016, the Greek Government honored him by issuing a 1.2 Euro stamp into circulation. Also in 2016, the book How To Make A Spaceship – A Band of Renegades, an Epic Race, and the Birth of Private Spaceflight, Peter’s biography and the story of the XPRIZE was written by Julian Guthrie with a Foreword by Richard Branson and an Afterword by Prof. Stephen Hawking.
In the field of Innovation, Diamandis is Founder and Executive Chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation, best known for its $10 million Ansari XPRIZE for private spaceflight.
Diamandis is also the Co-Founder and Vice-Chairman of Human Longevity Inc. (HLI), a genomics and cell therapy-based diagnostic and therapeutic company focused on extending the healthy human lifespan. He is also the Executive Founder of Singularity University, a graduate-level Silicon Valley institution that studies exponentially growing technologies, their ability to transform industries and solve humanity’s grand challenges.
In the field of commercial space, Diamandis is Co-Founder/Co-Chairman of Planetary Resources, a company designing spacecraft to enable the detection and prospecting of asteroid for precious materials. He is also the Co-Founder of Space Adventures and Zero-Gravity Corporation.
Diamandis is the New York Times Bestselling author of Abundance – The Future Is Better Than You Think and BOLD – How to go Big, Create Wealth & Impact the World.
He earned an undergraduate degree in Molecular Genetics and a graduate degree in Aerospace Engineering from MIT, and received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School.
Diamandis’ mission is to open the space frontier for humanity. His personal motto is: "The best way to predict the future is to create it yourself."
In 2016, the Greek Government honored him by issuing a 1.2 Euro stamp into circulation. Also in 2016, the book How To Make A Spaceship – A Band of Renegades, an Epic Race, and the Birth of Private Spaceflight, Peter’s biography and the story of the XPRIZE was written by Julian Guthrie with a Foreword by Richard Branson and an Afterword by Prof. Stephen Hawking.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 6, 2026
We Are as Gods is an ambitious, forward looking exploration of humanity’s accelerating technological power and the profound questions that arise from it. Building on themes from the authors’ previous work, the book examines a world where exponential advances in AI, genetics, robotics, and longevity increasingly blur the line between human capability and “godlike” agency.
At its core, the book is structured around a central tension: as humanity gains unprecedented control over nature, biology, and even consciousness, the need for wisdom, restraint, and meaning becomes more urgent. The authors argue that technological abundance alone is not enough to guarantee a flourishing future; psychological and ethical development must evolve in parallel.
A key strength of the book is its synthesis of scientific developments with broader philosophical reflection. It connects cutting edge innovation with questions of identity, purpose, and existential risk, framing the modern era as both an extraordinary opportunity and a serious responsibility.
The narrative emphasizes optimism, focusing on humanity’s capacity to adapt and thrive in an environment of accelerating change. However, it also acknowledges the risks of unchecked power, particularly when technological capability outpaces moral or institutional readiness.
Overall, We Are as Gods is a thought provoking and accessible guide to the implications of exponential technology. It will appeal to readers interested in futurism, innovation, and the broader human consequences of scientific progress.
At its core, the book is structured around a central tension: as humanity gains unprecedented control over nature, biology, and even consciousness, the need for wisdom, restraint, and meaning becomes more urgent. The authors argue that technological abundance alone is not enough to guarantee a flourishing future; psychological and ethical development must evolve in parallel.
A key strength of the book is its synthesis of scientific developments with broader philosophical reflection. It connects cutting edge innovation with questions of identity, purpose, and existential risk, framing the modern era as both an extraordinary opportunity and a serious responsibility.
The narrative emphasizes optimism, focusing on humanity’s capacity to adapt and thrive in an environment of accelerating change. However, it also acknowledges the risks of unchecked power, particularly when technological capability outpaces moral or institutional readiness.
Overall, We Are as Gods is a thought provoking and accessible guide to the implications of exponential technology. It will appeal to readers interested in futurism, innovation, and the broader human consequences of scientific progress.
April 14, 2026
The challenge of abundance
Diamandis and Kotler’s latest book challenges the reader to explore “A feedback loop of recursive AI self-improvement that accelerates progress beyond comprehension or control.” This as AI and robotics are taking mankind into a turbulent period of social and political change at warp speed. What can we do not only to survive, but flourish? Read this book as a guide.
Diamandis and Kotler’s latest book challenges the reader to explore “A feedback loop of recursive AI self-improvement that accelerates progress beyond comprehension or control.” This as AI and robotics are taking mankind into a turbulent period of social and political change at warp speed. What can we do not only to survive, but flourish? Read this book as a guide.
May 9, 2026
Not quite as good as the original but timely
The key message in this book is that you need better mindset to be able to adapt to AI and adapting with those mindset is gonna make the difference difference between a dystopian or closer to utopian style future and we need to get together and push ourselves and get the most out of AI as supposed to fall to the lowest level
The key message in this book is that you need better mindset to be able to adapt to AI and adapting with those mindset is gonna make the difference difference between a dystopian or closer to utopian style future and we need to get together and push ourselves and get the most out of AI as supposed to fall to the lowest level
July 3, 2026
Required Reading Indeed
Challenging and engaging map of where we are (Start Here) with the routes to success and avoiding pitfalls well defined. A little light on the political and social affects of where we could end up on the map.
Challenging and engaging map of where we are (Start Here) with the routes to success and avoiding pitfalls well defined. A little light on the political and social affects of where we could end up on the map.
April 30, 2026
required reading for everyone
A wonderful overview of the possible, a stark warning of what also can go wrong. A totally enjoyable read for every curious mind on this planet.
A wonderful overview of the possible, a stark warning of what also can go wrong. A totally enjoyable read for every curious mind on this planet.
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May 23, 2026I am
I am changing.
I know what I know.
I feel better about all that for having read this book, "Always rely on just a cheerful frame of mind."
I am changing.
I know what I know.
I feel better about all that for having read this book, "Always rely on just a cheerful frame of mind."
May 31, 2026
The Future
A look into the future.
Robotics, AI, CRISPR, gene editing, and much more.
An exciting future so buckle up and enjoy the ride.
A look into the future.
Robotics, AI, CRISPR, gene editing, and much more.
An exciting future so buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews