Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus summary
Douglas Rushkoff
How Growth Became the Enemy of Prosperity
15 mins
Brief summary
Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus by Douglas Rushkoff explores why the current economic system is failing and how we can rethink it for a better future. Rushkoff argues that focusing on growth at all costs is hurting society and suggests alternative approaches.
Topics
Table of Contents
Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus
Summary of 6 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 6
The greed for growth has driven elites to exploit the working classes since the Medieval period.
There was once a time when a person had to either make or sell any product on the market. If you sat down at a restaurant, for example, you had to order your meal from a waiter. These days, you can go to McDonalds and order a burger from a self-service stand.
What does that mean for employees? People all over are losing their jobs. A company’s relentless pursuit of growth is essentially taking jobs away from people.
Computers are often scapegoated for the decline in jobs, but really, it’s our greed for growth that is to blame. Businesses are so eager to expand that they replace people with cheaper machines whenever possible.
How did we get here? Why do we as a society rely on such a small number of rich companies for employment and economic prosperity?
The answer to this question starts with the Middle Eastern bazaar system, an open market for exchanging goods and ideas. Europeans who took part in the Crusades brought this market idea back with them to Europe.
The introduction of open markets led to rapid economic growth in Europe as well as the expansion of a merchant class, people with the ability to exchange products and services directly, without middlemen.
A craftsman, for example, could go to a market and buy oats directly from a peasant for a price equal to its real value, since there was no longer the need to pay a commission to a grain dealer.
As the merchant class grew wealthier, however, the aristocratic class started to lose both wealth and clout. So they developed monopolies, which led to the top-down economic system we still use today. They essentially killed the open market by granting certain companies exclusive rights in the industry in exchange for a share of their profits, curtailing trade in the bazaars.
This eventually led to our modern system of markets, in which workers earn wages from market-controlling companies, rather than trading directly from one another.
Want to see all full key ideas from Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus?
Key ideas in Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus about?
Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus (2013) explores society’s unhealthy relationship with money, as it transformed from a means to facilitate trade to a goal in itself. The rise of digital markets has done little to improve the situation. These blinks explore the history of money and offer practical solutions to help local communities make money work again for everyone.
Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus Review
Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus (2016) is a thought-provoking book that explores the dark side of our digital economy and offers alternative solutions. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides a fresh perspective on the disruptive nature of technology, shedding light on the unintended consequences of unchecked growth.
- With in-depth analysis and well-researched arguments, the book challenges the status quo and calls for a more sustainable and equitable economic system.
- Through engaging storytelling and concrete examples, it captivates readers, making complex economic concepts accessible and engaging.
Best quote from Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus
Instead of selling their wares, people now sold their hours.
—Douglas Rushkoff
Who should read Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus?
- Workers concerned about losing a job to a machine
- Students exploring sociology, history, economics or politics
- Entrepreneurs
Categories with Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus
Book summaries like Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
31 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus FAQs
What is the main message of Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus?
The main message of Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus is that we need to rethink the values of our digital economy.
How long does it take to read Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus?
The reading time for Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus a good book? Is it worth reading?
Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus is a thought-provoking read that challenges our assumptions about the digital economy. It's worth exploring for anyone interested in the impact of technology on society.
Who is the author of Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus?
The author of Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus is Douglas Rushkoff.
What to read after Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus?
If you're wondering what to read next after Throwing Rocks at the Google Bus, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Built, Not Born by Tom Golisano
- Real-Time Leadership by David Noble & Carol Kauffman
- Your First Million by Arlan Hamilton
- Move Fast and Break Things by Jonathan Taplin
- Sales EQ by Jeb Blount
- 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
- The Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater
- 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin
- Mastery by Robert Greene
- Daring Greatly by Brené Brown