Book Review: Without Their Permission
This 2013 book, Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed from reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian explores his story creating the front page of the Internet as well as stories of how the Internet is reshaping society for the better. Ohanian also gives tips for budding entrepreneurs who want to succeed in this brave new world where people can make millions off a cool app they created on their own from a dorm room. Even more so, no one has to wait for someone else's permission to make that app, make a change, or do some good. With the Internet, so much more is at so many more people's fingertips. The Internet is a great equalizer in terms of access and it allows for more good stuff to get the attention it deserves.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It had a very casual tone while still containing some great perspectives on Internet culture, how it is changing our society, and how to maximize the potential it offers. Ohanian obviously knows this subject well as he made his life being plugged in to the vast community of the Internet. While it is something I feel pretty understanding of, I enjoyed how he talked about it and I hope others can gleam some important morsels of wisdom from this book.
I've been a fan of Ohanian and the work he has done to ensure a free and open Internet. He goes into some of that journey in the book as well. This segment felt especially poignant as the FCC just recently made sure that the work Ohanian did was not in vain. The stories he tells about the amazing positive impact the Internet has had on so many different people in all sorts of ways furthers my commitment to embrace it as a tool for good.
Without Their Permission is an engaging, fun, personal, quick read that is great for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and the greater Internet community. It will preach to the choir for many but I hope it may reach some out there that might not fully realize the good this brave new world is doing for so many people.