Shirley Burton

I started working on Read Write Own in October 2022, and I’m excited that it’s finally coming out in a few weeks, on January 30. I wrote Read Write Own because I felt we needed a book that explains the full potential of blockchains and tokens, and how these technologies can support productive and not just speculative use cases. Sometimes people in the industry say things like “speculation is a bootstrapping mechanism that leads to utility.” That explanation might be sufficient for true believers, but it’s not for the rest of the world. What I try to do is break down, in detail – based on frameworks, experience, and research – why a future internet built on these technologies would be better, and how exactly we might get there. I like tech/science/business books that are authentic, that feel like I am overhearing conversations between colleagues, but are written in a way that non-specialists can understand. That’s what I tried to do. I wrote it as you’d hear me talk in daily conversations, except that I explain things from first principles, without assuming prior knowledge. (Early on, someone recommended that I write the book for “smart high school students,” advice that stuck with me.) The book is simple and straightforward but in no way watered down. It is also concise: the main text is 230 pages despite covering a lot of ground (there are also 36 pages of endnotes — much of the material came from my own experience, but I also conducted new research and incorporated feedback from about twenty expert readers). I cut out around 200 pages that didn’t feel essential. I also structured the book in roughly 3-4 page chunks that can stand alone, like blog posts, so that readers can skip around. Internet veterans will be familiar with the topics covered in some sections. Crypto veterans will be familiar with others. General readers should read end to end to get the full narrative. I hope everyone will find sections that are new and interesting to them. I sent out advance copies a few months ago and was excited by the positive feedback. I’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks, but for now here are some early blurbs that will appear on the back of the book: “This book is a must for anyone who wants to better understand the real potential of blockchains and web3 to drive even greater innovation, inspire more imaginative thinking, and ultimately unlock new growth opportunities in the future.” —Bob Iger, CEO, Disney “Read this book to understand a compelling vision of where the internet should go and how to get there.” —Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI “Unfortunately, the noise has overwhelmed the signal in the crypto industry over the last five years. Chris Dixon succeeds at explaining how crypto technology is vital to our technological future and how we all can benefit, much as we have from the internet. I would encourage all regulators and crypto naysayers around the world to read this book.” —Mark Cuban “This book changed my mind. It’s a clear manifesto for redeeming the internet and making it the democratic platform we all want. The hero in this story is a second generation of blockchains, tamed from their earlier excesses as speculative coins and remade into a way for everyone to own what they make online. It’s the best positive case for crypto I’ve seen.” —Kevin Kelly, bestselling author of The Inevitable “This is a pivotal moment for the internet. Chris Dixon’s fascinating book offers a refreshing and radical new take at a time when we need fresh thinking more than ever.” —Mustafa Suleyman, co-founder of Inflection AI and DeepMind, bestselling author of The Coming Wave “Chris Dixon has always been someone who sees the future with clarity and practicality. He does this once again in Read Write Own.” —John Donahoe, CEO, Nike Thank you to those who helped me write the book — and to everyone who plans to take the time to read it. I’m looking forward to your feedback and discussing it with you.