The Industries of the Future

Ok review of what is now. Not much future.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend a friend to read this book if they were not following current trends and events as a concise way to catch up to what is going on presently.

Have you listened to any of Alec Ross’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No.

Any additional comments?

This book is not so much a look over the horizon for what the industries will be but more a drive around the existing landscape stopping in to see what the demographics are, what people are working on, and why they think it might be important. People that follow technology, business, economics and global trends will not find much of the future in this book. For others, it can serve as a pretty good overview, but not much of predictor of what to expect for the future.

21 of 22 people found this review helpful

Disappointing

The book is a lot of things but surely not "the industries of the future". Alec Ross talks a lot about current technology trends and very little about the future of these technologies (with the exception maybe of Robotics), and definitely nothing about future technologies that may not be now known to the common public. He talks in details about Silicon Valley, and other attempts to establish similar technology concentration zones in the world (and why they fail). He talks a lot about the politics of Russia, China, India, and many other countries, as if the book was a Geo-political and technological analysis of the world.
The narration is the worst part of the book (even after all above negative feedback). Alec Ross should have given this to a professional narrator. This audio book should not be listen to while driving under any circumstance because you will fall asleep very quickly. Absolutely terrible. I would have given the book a zero star for this if possible.
You still get some benefit from the book but not for whatever the title hinted at.

15 of 16 people found this review helpful

Adapt or perish

I think Alex is right about a lot of the book, but the idea that little Silicon Valleys are going to spring up where there is domain expertise seems unlikely. The knowledge to build those big data systems is moving too fast to distribute, there are dozens of Apache projects that need to play well together for this to happen. For those with domain expertise to build on it the rate of technology change would have to slow down...otherwise you need a critical mass of big data experts. That seems to be the domain of Silicon Valley and the author doesn't propose a way for it to change, or a hypothesis for big data technology to plateau for some time.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Enlightening

This was an interesting book that looks at what fields are heading for a breakthrough and which ones are on the way out or will require less people in the future. Ross was an advisor to the State Department under Secretary Clinton. Ross traveled too many countries to learn about industrial development. Ross describes how Indonesia, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Mexico are positioning themselves in the global economy. He also describes how Africa is starting to emerge as governments become more stable and civil wars are ending. I was surprised to learn about the mobile telecom companies in Africa and how that is changing people’s lives. I found the information about Estonia fascinating; children learning to code starting in grade one.

Ross identifies certain industries that are key drivers of change. The author devotes chapters to robotics, cyber warfare and advanced life sciences such as genetics. Ross states that any country that does not empower women will fall behind.
At the end of the book Ross discusses how to prepare children to enter the vastly changing workplace coming up. For the science aware person most of this in not new information but for those who are not science aware this might be new and helpful information. Alex Ross did a good job narrating the book.

11 of 13 people found this review helpful

The most exciting book about the future I've read.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The topic of the future can be approached in a countless number of ways, some more interesting than others. The author makes his topics exciting, interesting and digestible. It's like a really good meal you don't want to end.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Being able to look into the future is a gift. The author seems to have an incredible ability much like Vanderbilt or Rockerfeller to understand the needs of the country and the people decades before they do.

What about Alec Ross’s performance did you like?

He has a really good reading voice. He keeps the listener engaged.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

That in Japan soon there are going to be more elderly people then young people. The government is working on creating robots who can help the elderly. Things like getting out of bed, washing ones hair and even just for companionship.

Any additional comments?

Mr. Ross is intelligent, but obviously he is on the inside track of what other countries are working towards. He has a unique insight into what entrepreneurs and governments are doing in different countries and markets, around the world. I give this book 2 thumbs up... I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

13 of 16 people found this review helpful

be prepared ready or not it's going to happen ok

I'm 75 years old, and I thought it was breathtaking in terms of the world my grandchildren will live in. I think at least portions of it should be read by everyone interested in the future

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Some good points, boring mostly

Insights are pretty common sense if you are up-to-date on trends. Really needs a better voice-over than the monotoned authors voice.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Geoff Colvin, Alec Ross & Steven Johnson = GENIUS!

Very Good info &it really gets better & better especially the last several chapters.
Starts out Big Picture, Trends, Various Fields, Market Disruptions etc. but then discusses opportunities & Best Practices for Carving out a personalized Niche Career, Specialty or Field for yourself &even follows up with numerous specific Examples of Successful People & Cos. following this path, Alec outlines to develop mass impact w Max Rewards from their target market segment without excessive risk or compromise + Positive Impact.
It's a Blueprint for a Successful, Rewarding Life in the 21st Century that u can start on tomorrow. Thanks

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

More than a glimpse - a look into the future

This book comes from a man with firsthand knowledge. I use the terms "he smells like the sheep while also flying at 35,000 feet." Being so up close allows him to speak of what is yet he has drawn from what he has seen to see what might be! On one hand the reading leaves one excited about the future. On the other hand one is challenged to prepare oneself for involvement in this new world. Incredibly insightful and useful for anyone involved in creating the future!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Exceptionally informative

If you are wondering where you might think about working or investing in the near future , this book is a must read. !!
I hope whomever becomes the next President puts Alec in a key position to help the world

4 of 5 people found this review helpful