Jason Hickel
Jason Hickel is an economic anthropologist and author whose work focuses on global inequality, development, ecological economics, and degrowth. He is best known for The Divide and Less Is More, books that have shaped debates on poverty, capitalism, and sustainability and are widely discussed in academic and public policy circles.
Biography & Author's Journey
Jason Hickel’s work grew out of a biography unusually close to the questions he would later study. Raised in Eswatini, he went on to study anthropology at Wheaton College, earning his bachelor’s degree in 2004, and then completed an MA and PhD in anthropology at the University of Virginia. His doctoral research focused on moral order and political conflict in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and that line of inquiry shaped his first major book, Democracy as Death, a study of anti-liberal politics, colonial histories, and labor struggle in South Africa. ((https://news.virginia.edu/content/student-led-forum-helps-meet-increased-interest-african-studies?utm_source=openai))
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Community Voices
"Jason Hickel turns growth and development inside out with a radically possible post-growth vision"
— Kate Raworth
"Jason Hickel dispels ecomodernist fantasies of green growth"
— Giorgos Kallis
"With passion and panache, Jason Hickel tells a very different story of why poverty exists"
— Danny Dorling
"Jason Hickel shows how the drive to increase GDP fueled ecological crisis and why degrowth is essential"
— New Scientist
"Jason Hickel takes us on a profound journey through 500 years of capitalism and ecological collapse"
— Alnoor Ladha
"Jason Hickel tears apart the destructive myths surrounding global inequality"
— Raoul Martinez
"Jason Hickel shows that recovering the commons and decolonizing nature are necessary for a common future"
— Vandana Shiva
"Jason Hickel shakes up the prevailing paradigm of development at its root"
— Ha-Joon Chang
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
