Read Write Own
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  • Published: 19 March 2024
  • ISBN: 9781529925630
  • Imprint: Cornerstone Press
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $36.99

Read Write Own

Building the Next Era of the Internet

Formats & editions
Tr. Paperback
19 Mar 2024
EBook
1 Feb 2024
Audiobook
1 Feb 2024
Hardback
1 Mar 2024
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A potent exploration of the power of blockchains to reshape the future of the internet

'Compelling' Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI | 'Fascinating' Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind | 'A must' Robert Iger, CEO, Disney

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 a creative, entrepreneurial internet 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’.

Drawing on a 25-year career in the software industry, Dixon lucidly shows how the history of the internet has been defined by three distinct eras that have brought us to the critical moment we’re in today. The first was the ‘read’ era, in which early networks democratized information. The second was the ‘read-write’ era, in which 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.
  • Published: 19 March 2024
  • ISBN: 9781529925630
  • Imprint: Cornerstone Press
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $36.99
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Praise for Read Write Own

Read this book to understand a compelling vision of where the internet should go and how to get there

SAM ALTMAN, CEO, OpenAI

Whether you’re already interested in crypto or just curious about blockchains, web3, & the future of the internet, this is the definitive book about the industry

EMILIE CHOI, President and Chief Operating Officer, Coinbase

This book changed my mind . . . The best positive case for crypto I’ve seen

KEVIN KELLY, founding editor Wired

Far from the casino culture built on crypto’s excesses, Dixon argues blockchains have the potential to create a new class of public goods, wider participation in the governance of global infrastructures, and a redistribution of power away from dominant firms

AZEEM AZHAR, creator of Exponential View

A must for anyone who wants to better understand the real potential of blockchains and web3 to drive even greater innovation, inspire more imaginative thinking, and ultimately unlock new growth opportunities in the future

BOB IGER, CEO, Disney

Chris Dixon is a visionary, and the vision he sets forth this book is all about democratising the internet. It’s relevant to anyone, but is especially important for creators today. 100% recommend

ROB MCELHENNEY, actor

Chris Dixon has always been someone who sees the future with clarity and practicality. He does this once again in Read Write Own making the case for blockchain technology as the fundamental building block of the future and clearly laying out where the internet is going

JOHN DONAHOE, CEO, Nike

This is a pivotal moment for the internet. Chris Dixon’s fascinating book offers a refreshing and radical new take at a time when we need fresh thinking more than ever

MUSTAFA SULEYMAN, co-founder of DeepMind and Inflection and author of The Coming Wave