So what is to be done about the unkept promises of the new economy? Gates, who has bipartisan disdain for "Republicrats" and "Demopubs," doesn't have much hope that the 2000 presidential campaign will become a national debate on alternative futures. He's trying instead to inspire local innovations among people close to the problems. He wants "a broad array of action-based programs to convert today's cynics into engaged citizens."
Strangely, though, in his call for a new populism, Gates fails to tap the best populist tool ever created: the Internet. Check out the Web site of the Shared Capitalism Institute (www.sharedcapitalism.org); you'll find a summary of his book and theories, but what you won't find is a list of links to grassroots organizations where you can learn more about the issues. So here's my contribution to addressing the challenges that Gates identifies: Visit my Web site (http://www.fastcompany.com/team/dahle), where you'll find the beginnings of such a list. What happens next is up to you.
Big Idea: "Funky Business: Talent Makes Capital Dance," by Jonas Ridderstråle and Kjell Nordström (Financial Times-Prentice Hall, $25). Two European professors with a flair for the dramatic offer a manifesto for the new economy. It's been making waves on the Continent, but it will seem less radical to Americans.
Best Practice: "The Good News About Careers: How You'll Be Working in the Next Decade," by Barbara Moses (Jossey-Bass, $25). Good advice about the Brand Called You.
Sleeper: "The Fourth Great Awakening & the Future of Egalitarianism," by Robert William Fogel (University of Chicago Press, $25). This controversial economic historian offers a thought-provoking look at the interaction between technological change and ethical norms.
Keeper: "The Monk and the Riddle: The Education of a Silicon Valley Entrepreneur," by Randy Komisar (Harvard Business School Press, $22.50). Don't let this book's cryptic title turn you off to its value. A self-described "virtual CEO" offers a solid set of insights into leadership and growth.
If you're too busy creating wealth to read "Democracy at Risk," then you might want to consider these offbeat "Populist visions" from its pages.
Shocking Factoid. For the entire world to enjoy the same standard of living as Americans and Canadians do, we'd need to create two more Earth's to satisfy everyone and to generate all of the necessary material goods to support this lifestyle.
Why We Hate Mondays. More people in our culture die on one particular day, at one particular time: Monday at 9 AM. Thank God it's Friday!
Conspicuous Consumption. Leslie Wexner, founder of the Limited Inc. (which owns or has spun off Abercrombie & Fitch, Express, and Victoria's Secret), has built a house with a ballroom that operates as a mammoth dumbwaiter: The room's entire floor can be lowered into the cellar so that servants can, say, set a banquet table and then raise it into place in time for a party.
Dumbest Idea. Do taxpayers really want to spend money so that U.S. spy satellites can beam pictures of children all over the world to enhance their shared sense of global citizenship? Smartest Idea Use debt forgiveness to fund development in Third World nations. One such plan would cancel outright 80% of the outstanding debt in those countries, and then require that debtor countries set aside the remaining amount due in local currency to finance long-term education initiatives for their citizens.
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