Infectious Generosity: The Ultimate Idea Worth Spreading

(Hardback)

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Description

From the bestselling author, technology pioneer, and curator of TED Chris Anderson, an inspiring, revelatory book about the urgent and world-changing potential of one of humankind's defining but forgotten impulses- generosity. Perhaps the simplest, most powerful moral question you can ask of your life is- 'Am I a net giver, or a net taker' As head of TED for the past 20 years, Chris Anderson has had a ringside view of the world's most significant thinkers sharing their boldest ideas across every imaginable discipline. Yet there's a single theme that stands out in his mind as the essential connecting thread- generosity. It may seem simple, but generosity has played a key role in building the tools, knowledge, and institutions that have allowed civilisation to flourish. Now, in our unsettled modern world, beset by disruption and division, Anderson believes our collective future depends on reconnecting to this vital human trait. In this profound and inspiring book, Anderson shows how the same technologies that have been a catalyst for negativity can be turned into an exponential force for good - to create chain reactions of generous behaviour. The potential lies in every one of us, right now - for generosity, it turns out, is wired deeply inside you. Gifts of time, talent, connection and kindness have always been part of what it is to be a good human. What's different today, Anderson reveals, is the power each of us has - if we'd only stop to think about it - to catalyse world-changing, self-replicating impact. The people, companies, investors and organisations who understand this, who prioritise generosity - who give more to the world than they take from it - are the ones that will own the future. And they'll be happier as a result. This book shows you how.

Reviews

This book is a masterpiece, and an important one. It is not only about generosity, but is itself an act of generosity, profound and compelling. I want everyone I know to read this - and everyone I don't know, too. * Andrew Solomon, NYT-bestselling author of Far From the Tree, Wellcome Book Prize winner, National Book Award winner and 2002 Pulitzer Prize finalist *
This book was a much-needed gift to my weary and news-battered heart. Chris Anderson presents an inspiring body of evidence to support the tremendous and transformative power of generositythat most beautiful of human impulses. Infectious Generosity is a combination of inarguable data and incredibly moving stories I flew through these pages with an increasing sense of joy, and was left inspired and hopeful. * Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love *
Concise and profound. * Alain de Botton, author and philosopher *
Warning: reading this book may give you an irresistible urge to get up, and take action. Infectious generosity has the potential to spread far and wide, and radically change the world. Simply a wonderful book. * Rutger Bregman, bestselling author of Humankind *
Truly inspiring! It will change the way you see the world around you. * Elizabeth Dunn, Professor of Social Psychology *

Author Bio

After a career in journalism and publishing, Chris Anderson became the curator of the TED Conference in 2001 and has developed it as a global platform for identifying and disseminating ideas worth spreading. His TED mantra - 'ideas worth spreading' - continues to blossom on an international scale, with more than one billion TED Talks viewed annually. He lives in New York City and London.