Global Release (v0.1.1) Hacking Capitalism is an independently published book written by Kris Nóva about modeling the tech industry as a system. Particularly this book will model computers, humans, and money and their subsequent relationships in tech. Understand the nature of the tech industry through the same Modeling that investors and entrepreneurs use to rationalize it. The tech industry is ruthless. However, the tech industry is predictable. This book will teach you to predict the behavior of the industry, and predict its outcomes. Learn to use these tactics to support yourself.
Despite not being a long book, it was one that I spread out over time. I decided to read it front to back even though the author felt that it works more as a reference book. Each chapter was good time to reflect on the topic.
At first, I found the book overly simplistic and lacking nuance. As I kept reading, I started feeling that was its strength. This book is an excellent seed planter of ideas. It also provides a domain language for employment in the industry. I may not agree 100% with her definitions, but I appreciate how clear and straight-forward they are so I can also mix in my own views.
I'm not the target demographic for this book, but the messages resonate nevertheless. I'll certainly be pulling inspiration from this book (and sharing it) with folks that I believe could benefit from the message and theory.
Some highlights:
On Building - I really like Kris' description on how to build something:
* Make it - it'll be crappy and hacky, but one must start here. Hard to iterate on nothing. * Make it work - Now we can make it solve something * Make it work well - Now we can feel proud (sense of mastery) * Make it work well for you - Ended with something that is tight and with little bloat
Gall's Law - I had never heard of this before, but states that one is said above is the only way to build things. One cannot build a complex vision from scratch, you iterate towards it. I think I've seen many projects fail because they forget to simply make 1 thing work first.
I think the title should have been "Capitalism 101" or "Capitalism for Dummies" with the yellow cover. A bizarre book, a combination of capitalism, economy and computer science (from the perspective of IT commercial systems). The idea to combine the above was a great intuition, IMHO. The writing, however, is very very bad, boring and completely useless. Many concepts explained in the book might be new to a 5 year-old. And I am even doubting it. The font used by the editor is ok for reading programming languages. Not books.
The book presents capitalism as birth/death/rebirth cycles. Moreover, it suggests tactics for using these cycles to propel your career. I like the concept. It is a fresh idea to me providing a few moments of inspiration. The book generally stays rather abstract. I wish that it provided more evidence through concrete examples and real-life stories.
"A builder is someone who builds". Yeah ok, I didn't know this was a dictionary for kids. I don't want go be gratuitously mean, though. I just find the book to be naïve at times, simplistic/speculative at others. I share many of the views of the author, but I wish they would've put more effort in their writing style and provide deeper insights.
The book started really well, in the beginning, explaining ideas and concepts of the capitalism.
After that I become really frustrated with the "hacking" part of the book.
I expected that she would explain how to "hack" the capitalism in a way to overcome it but she gave hints and tips to "surf" the capitalism and grow/survive inside of it.
IMHO, the objective of hacking something is to exploit it (break it, destroy it, expose it, ...) not "live it".
This book explains situations I’ve found myself in that I’ve had trouble understanding and coming to terms with. This book has a lot that I needed to hear and the advice is practical. Kris’ optimism in the book is contagious. Rest in peace.