Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet
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Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Chris Dixon (Author, Narrator), Robert Petkoff (Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 398 ratings
Editors' pick Best Nonfiction
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A potent exploration of the power of blockchains to reshape the future of the internet—and how that affects us all—from influential technology entrepreneur and startup investor Chris Dixon

“A must for anyone who wants to better understand the real potential of blockchains and web3.”—Robert Iger, CEO, Disney

“A compelling vision of where the internet should go and how to get there.”—Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI

The internet of today is a far cry from its early promise of a decentralized, democratic network of innovation, connection, and freedom. In the past decade, it has fallen almost entirely under the control of a very small group of companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook. In Read Write Own, tech visionary Chris Dixon argues that the dream of an open network for fostering creativity and entrepreneurship doesn’t have to die and can, in fact, be saved with blockchain networks. He separates this movement, which aims to provide a solid foundation for everything from social networks to artificial intelligence to virtual worlds, from cryptocurrency speculation—a distinction he calls “the computer vs. the casino.”

With lucid and compelling prose—drawing from a 25-year career in the software industry—Dixon shows how the internet has undergone three distinct eras, bringing us to the critical moment we’re in today. The first was the “read” era, in which early networks democratized information. In the “read-write” era, corporate networks democratized publishing. We are now in the midst of the “read-write-own” era, sometimes called web3, in which blockchain networks are granting power and economic benefits to communities of users, not just corporations.

Read Write Own is a must-listen for anyone—internet users, business leaders, creators, entrepreneurs—who wants to understand where we’ve been and where we’re going. It provides a vision for a better internet and a playbook to navigate and build the future.

* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF of illustrations and charts from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

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  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 9 minutes
  2. Author
    Chris Dixon
  3. Narrator
    Robert Petkoff, see all
  4. Audible release date
    January 30, 2024
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  7. ASIN
    B0C922X6VJ
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 9 minutes
Author Chris Dixon
Narrator Chris Dixon, Robert Petkoff
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date January 30, 2024
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0C922X6VJ
Best Sellers Rank #4,163 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#2 in Internet & Telecommunications
#8 in Computers & Technology Industry
#12 in Internet & Social Media

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
398 global ratings
Convincing and Thoughtful
5 Stars
Convincing and Thoughtful
There’s not many, if any, books for blockchain on the market that incorporate the historical context of the internet and emergent tech monopolies into their argument.This book is so convincing also because it doesn’t draw too much on financialization and money, but on interesting use cases of blockchains as computers.
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Top reviews from the United States

Tim S
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on the future of online networks
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2024
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I don't review many books, but I thought Chris Dixon's Read Write Own deserved some attention. This is nominally a book about web3 or crypto, but it's really more than that. It's (1) a history of our online age told through the lens of how networks work; (2) a well-argued diatribe against our current online lives, which are controlled by a handful of large companies and their CEOS; and (3) a well-grounded and -reasoned glimpse into our possible networked future. The book also provides some useful mental models, like the "casino versus the computer," that help to clarify the industry. The author also calls for regulation and ties the success of blockchain computing to American dynamism in the future. We need to encourage entrepreneurs and startups as part of the engine of the U.S. economy. He also provides a bunch of use-cases for the technology that go well beyond just speculative betting on tokens (which he decries). I also really enjoyed the author's style; Dixon has a knack for useful metaphors. And I think his digression into software as art is just lovely.
12 people found this helpful
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Michael Hardiman
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear excellent explanation of the internet
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024
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A book about keeping the internet and information pipelines de-centralized from a partner in probably the most famous venture capital firm, Andreessen-Horowitz. Almost a call for revolution and rising up against the castles of power held by Facebook, Google and others, coming from someone who has made a living doing it.
His description of the Read era, the Write era and now the Own era matches up exactly with my experiences with the internet and information age going back to the 1980s. I kept saying to myself oh yeah I remember that and that's when I took the next step.
Extensive writing on the ownership of intellectual property and the blockchain. Also bitcoin providing full disclosure of transactions with immutable limit on circulation, preventing debasement of it's currency, which protects smaller operators who have less ability to game the system.
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Theodore Stamas
4.0 out of 5 stars Clear and concise explanation of blockchain technology
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2024
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I have read numerous books about crypto and blockchain technology but this one answers many questions about the aspects of the industry that many market pundits omit. Full disclosure, I read technology books with investment in mind and I own crypto. After reading the book, I questioned my investment in the industry. Not that it won’t become adapted into the mainstream, but it may take a long while to come to fruition. That said, if you want to learn about the technology, this is a great resource.
2 people found this helpful
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Kari H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
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Must read for anyone wanting to know more about the history and future of the internet! Definitely change my perspective on the blockchain!
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Jonathan Schmalfeld
5.0 out of 5 stars Important Discussion on the Future of the Internet
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2024
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I read through this book in a single sitting. Chris finds a way to take a highly technical topic and condense it down to something easily understandable. I couldn’t be more pumped on what the future looks like for a digital world that is more reflective of the physical world built in large part on Blockchain networks and true digital ownership to counter the Corporate networks and the leases on our digital identities that we have come to accept.

Could not recommend more to people with little-to-no background Web3/blockchain technologies and people who have an understanding but want to learn more about how they can shape the future of the internet.
2 people found this helpful
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Lottie
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2024
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Enjoyed immensely
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Lisa R
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, thoughtful and easy to understand
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2024
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I could not put this book down. I really wanted to understand what was at the heart of this crypto craze. Crypto and blockchain are quite different than how it’s characterized by the media. The book is full of great stories, simple analogies and lessons that has now inspired me to dig deeper into the right aspects of blockchain. The book makes it incredibly clear that great entrepreneurs should use this next evolution of technology to build their own business without the dangers of being on a “corporate platform” that reaps all the benefits and pillages your business. It made very “scary” concepts easy to understand, and I now have a resource to refer back to as I explain this emerging space to others.
4 people found this helpful
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John L.
3.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of blockchain technology, but the future will see...
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2024
In his thought-provoking book "Read Write Own," Chris Dixon presents a compelling vision of how blockchain technology could reshape the internet and, by extension, society as a whole. Drawing on his extensive experience in the tech industry, Dixon traces the evolution of the internet through three distinct eras: the "read" era, which democratized access to information; the "read-write" era, dominated by corporate networks that democratized publishing; and the emerging "read-write-own" era, characterized by the rise of blockchain networks.

Dixon argues that blockchain technology combines the best aspects of protocol networks and corporate networks while addressing their shortcomings. He contends that blockchains can create open, decentralized, and self-sustaining networks that enshrine the rights and incentives of creators, contributors, and participants. By contrast, he likens corporate networks to theme parks, where a central authority controls every aspect of the user experience and can change the rules at will.

One of the book's strengths is its accessibility. Dixon's clear and engaging writing style makes complex concepts easy to grasp, even for readers with little prior knowledge of blockchain technology. He employs vivid analogies, such as comparing blockchains to cities and corporate networks to theme parks, to illustrate his points.

However, the book lacks a more in-depth exploration of specific blockchain projects and their potential applications. Instead, Dixon focuses on the big-picture implications of blockchain technology for the future of the internet and society. While this approach provides valuable insights, it may leave some readers wanting more concrete examples.

Additionally, be aware of the author's financial interests in blockchain companies. Given Dixon's role as a partner at a prominent venture capital firm, greater transparency on this front would have strengthened the book's credibility.

Despite these limitations, "Read Write Own" offers a valuable perspective on the potential of blockchain technology to create a more equitable and decentralized internet. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the broader implications of this transformative technology and its potential to reshape our digital future.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Dylan Gallagher
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and meant to be read a few times
Reviewed in Canada on April 28, 2024
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I read this book slowly so I could digest the current status of blockchain and the future opportunities. There is a lot to think about.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Enterprise Architects, Digital Evangelists, Technology Entrepreneurs, and the like
Reviewed in India on May 5, 2024
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The book aptly sums up the shortcomings of the current digital landscape (for example Internet, Financial services, Creative economy, Social media networks, etc) and lays out the blueprint of the future that is more equitable, fair, and inclusive.
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user20838
5.0 out of 5 stars Technology book of the year
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 27, 2024
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Brilliant case that made me understand the history of the internet and a specific case for more open internet of the future.
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Mozart
5.0 out of 5 stars Ein Leitfaden für die digitale Selbstbestimmung
Reviewed in Germany on April 9, 2024
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Chris Dixon's "Read Write Own" ist ein aufrüttelnder Weckruf zur Bedeutung von digitalem Besitz und Kreativität in unserer heutigen Gesellschaft. Dixon gelingt es meisterhaft, die Komplexität des digitalen Zeitalters in verständliche und handlungsorientierte Weisheiten zu destillieren. Dieses Buch ist ein Muss für jeden, der die Kontrolle über seine digitale Identität und Schöpfungen zurückerlangen möchte. Es ist nicht nur informativ, sondern auch ungemein motivierend und zeigt klar auf, wie wichtig es ist, aktiv an der Gestaltung der digitalen Zukunft teilzuhaben. Kurzum: "Read Write Own" ist ein essentieller Ratgeber für jeden digitalen Bürger, der in einer zunehmend vernetzten Welt nicht nur konsumieren, sondern auch kreieren und besitzen möchte.
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Anthony
5.0 out of 5 stars forward looking
Reviewed in Australia on February 6, 2024
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I liked idea of building an internet in which reward is more proportionate to effort. Loved the idea of decentralisation away from the incumbents in big tech. Makes credible arguments about the egalitarian value of new and better networks built on blockchains.
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