The Good Ancestor

More about the book

Could economists have foreseen the 2008 crash? Could political pundits have predicted Brexit or Trump? Long-term thinking struggles to take root in a world where immediate results are demanded and rewarded. Short-term thinking is endemic across all aspects of life. In The Long Now, leading popular philosopher and bestselling author Roman Krznaric shows just how crucial long-term thinking is, not just for ordinary people but across political, economic, environmental and business worlds. From the personal to the political, Krznaric identifies the flaws of today's short-term mindset. Drawing on ideas from a wide range of perspectives including neuroscience, cultural history, politics, economics, art and religion, he offers eight key approaches as a roadmap for the future of long-term thinking and planning. Unless we change our habits today our quick-fix, short-term culture can threaten societies in the long run.