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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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New Power summary
Jeremy Heimans
Henry Timms
How Power Works In Our Hyperconnected World – and How To Make It Work For You
26 mins
Brief summary
'New Power' by Jeremy Heimans and Henry Timms is a book exploring the fundamental shift in power dynamics from old, rigid power structures to new, participatory ones. It explains new power's principles and offers examples of how it can be implemented successfully.
Table of Contents
New Power
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
Our access to power used to be restricted, but today’s digital connectivity has empowered us all.
Before the twenty-first century, society was imagined as a giant machine. People were but cogs in this machine, playing small and standardized roles.
This was a golden age for colossal corporations and sprawling bureaucracies – a time when companies hoarded power as though it were currency. They made decisions for those participating in their power systems, believing they knew what was best. Such an attitude typified old power.
Meanwhile, the participants in the system filled static, stereotypical roles and obeyed the system’s commands: Do your multiplication tables. Say your prayers. Buy this product.
In short, chances to meaningfully participate in any role – civic, political or economic – were scarce.
But times have changed.
Hyperconnected technology has been a battering ram, unlocking digital doors and lowering the barriers of participating in almost any given activity. And this increase in the horizontality of power distribution is changing our behavior.
For example, the logistics of organization and participation are now unconstrained by space or time. This lets, say, artists from Ireland and India collaborate together, in real time and for free.
Added to that, we now have the tools to easily meet other like-minded people, lobby for change and organize resistance.
And these behaviors have also altered our attitudes. We’re no longer satisfied with merely observing or agreeing; we demand a right to participate.
Letitia Browne-James perfectly embodies this new attitude. A lifetime epileptic, Browne-James had all but had it with her neurologist and the ineffective medication she was prescribing. Then she stumbled across PatientsLikeMe – an online community of thousands of patients sharing experiences, recommendations and personal medical data.
Through the platform, she discovered that brain surgery is an effective treatment for epilepsy. In fact, 83 percent of PatientsLikeMe users reported positive results from it. Her doctor had never discussed this option with her, so Browne-James changed physicians.
In the end, she underwent the surgery, and it’s now been five years since she’s had a seizure. By using PatientsLikeMe to take control of her health care, Browne-James used new power.
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What is New Power about?
New Power (2018) maps out the changing power dynamics of the twenty-first century. Digital technology and ubiquitous connectivity have exploded, altering the very nature of power itself – how it functions, how it’s won and how it’s held. Heimans and Timms explain who’s using this to their advantage, who isn’t and what these new forms of power mean for you.
New Power Review
New Power (2018) is an intriguing exploration of the shifting dynamics of power in our digital age. Here's why this book is definitely worth a read:
- Delving into the practical implications of this new paradigm, it sparks ideas on how to harness the power of networks and crowds for positive change.
- With real-world case studies and fascinating examples, it offers a deeper understanding of how new power operates and how we can navigate it.
- By shedding light on the blurred lines between leadership and followership, it challenges traditional notions and opens up new possibilities for collaboration and activism.
Who should read New Power?
- Anyone interested in society’s changing power relations
- People who wish to understand the power of digital crowds
- Leaders and entrepreneurs looking to start a movement
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New Power FAQs
What is the main message of New Power?
The main message of New Power is the transformational shift in today's society towards an inclusive and participatory model of power.
How long does it take to read New Power?
The reading time for New Power varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is New Power a good book? Is it worth reading?
New Power is a compelling read that provides insights into the changing dynamics of power and how individuals can harness it. Don't miss out!
Who is the author of New Power?
The authors of New Power are Jeremy Heimans and Henry Timms.
What to read after New Power?
If you're wondering what to read next after New Power, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Lost Connections by Johann Hari
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- You Only Die Once by Jodi Wellman
- Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz
- The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher
- Cashing Out by Julien Saunders
- The Reading Mind by Daniel T. Willingham
- The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
- AI Superpowers by Kai-Fu Lee
- The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan