A Summer Reading List for Curious Minds.
Introducing The ReadyMade Company’s First Annual Idea Flow Summer Reading List.
These aren't your typical beach reads per se (though we wholeheartedly endorse reading them wherever you find yourself this summer). They're launchpads for your next big idea.
This curated collection draws from Idea Flow Book Club favorites as well as ReadyMade Company team suggestions, and client recommendations. It is designed to inspire creative problem-solving, fuel innovation, and broaden your strategic vision.
What sets this list apart is its focus on multidisciplinary approaches to understanding complex ideas and societal phenomena. Each selection merges science, history, philosophy, and personal narratives to offer deep insights into human nature and our rapidly changing world. These books promise to challenge conventional wisdom, spark unexpected connections, and reshape your understanding of the forces influencing our future.
But before we get into it, what’s the Idea Flow Book Club? It’s our book club for professionals in the creative and innovation industries who thrive on cross-pollinating ideas. Every month we explore thought-provoking works that span multiple disciplines, from science and technology to philosophy, design, and the arts.
The Idea Flow Summer Reading List:
Deep Utopia: Life and Meaning in a Solved World by Nick Bostrom (2024): A visionary look at a potential AI-driven future, addressing profound questions about human purpose and fulfillment.
The Making of the Atomic Bomb 25th Anniversary Edition by Richard Rhodes (2012): A riveting and detailed exploration of scientific achievement and its ethical implications. Reading it, one can’t help but draw important parallels to today's AI advancements.
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders (2021): A masterclass in narrative structure and human psychology, using Russian literature as a lens.
Playing with Reality by Kelly Clancy (2024): An exploration of how games and play shape our understanding of reality and societal structures.
Doppelganger by Naomi Klein (2023): A thought-provoking examination of identity and conspiracy theories in our digital age.
End Times by Peter Turchin (2023): From the co-founder of Cliodynamics, a data-driven approach to understanding societal collapses and crises, bridging history and predictive modeling.
The Work of Art: How Something Comes From Nothing by Adam Moss (2024): Moss explores how new ideas are conceived and the conditions that foster innovation.
God Human Animal Machine by Meghan O'Gieblyn (2021): A philosophical journey exploring the intersections of religion, technology, and consciousness.
The Philosophical Baby by Alison Gopnik (2009): An insightful look into child cognition and its implications for understanding human consciousness.
The Crisis of Narration by Byung-Chul Han (2024): A critical analysis of contemporary narratives and their impact on society and individual perception.
We hope that you can find something here that fires your synapses and broadens your perspective.
Have suggestions for this list? Please comment and share your recommendations. To participate in or learn more about the Idea Flow Book Club, please reach out to ideaflow@readymadeco.com. Have a great summer!
About The ReadyMade Company.
The ReadyMade Company is a pioneering creativity and innovation firm that excels in merging cutting-edge technologies with compelling storytelling to drive business growth and brand distinction. Purpose-built for today’s era of dynamic collaboration and productivity, ReadyMade specializes in creating products, content, and experiences that articulate the intrinsic value of brands and engineer shifts in customer perceptions and market dynamics. The company serves as a strategic partner to businesses aiming to achieve fame, enhance public perception, and accelerate change more effectively. At ReadyMade, we empower our clients to innovate boldly and with purpose, embodying our belief that, “what’s made is the message.” For more information visit www.readymadeco.com.