Kevin Kelly author photo

Kevin Kelly

Kevin Kelly is an American writer, futurist, and founding executive editor of Wired who explores technology, digital culture, and long-term social change. He is known for Out of Control, What Technology Wants, and The Inevitable; his essay “1,000 True Fans” has been especially influential among creators and entrepreneurs.

Biography & Author's Journey

Kevin Kelly was born in Pennsylvania in 1952 and graduated from Westfield High School in New Jersey in 1970. He attended the University of Rhode Island for a year, then left without earning a degree, a choice he later described as one of the best decisions of his life because it sent him toward the education he wanted: travel, fieldwork, and self-direction. Through the 1970s he moved through Asia as a low-budget photographer, worked briefly in Tehran, crossed the United States by bicycle, and underwent a religious conversion experience in Jerusalem. Those years established the pattern that would define his career: learning by immersion, moving easily between technology, culture, nature, and belief. ((https://kk.org/biography))

Show More

Quotes

quote
Being enthusiastic is worth 25 IQ points
-68 Bits of Unsolicited Advice
quote
Recipe for success: under-promise and over-deliver
-99 Additional Bits of Unsolicited Advice
quote
The best way to criticize something is to make something better
-101 Additional Advices
quote
The internet is still at the beginning of its beginning
-You Are Not Late
quote
You don’t need a million fans to make self-publishing, or the self-creation of anything, work
-Everything I Know about Self-Publishing
quote
My answer is you offer something better than free
-Earning Money From the Free
quote
When buoyed by scenius, you act like genius
-Scenius, or Communal Genius
quote
The desire to hear a well-told story will never leave us
-What Technology Wants
quote
Every other possible mind is alien
-Artificial Intelligences, So Far

Discover more

Tech, Innovation, History & Memoirs

Tech, Innovation, History & Memoirs

LEARNING PLAN

Tech, Innovation, History & Memoirs

This plan offers a comprehensive journey through the past, present, and future of technology, blending historical context with strategic business insights. It is ideal for aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts who want to understand the human stories and disruptive frameworks that drive global innovation.

3 h 7 m4 Sections
Tech, Biographies & Innovation

Tech, Biographies & Innovation

LEARNING PLAN

Tech, Biographies & Innovation

This plan bridges the gap between technical literacy and strategic leadership by studying the pioneers and frameworks that define the digital age. It is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, tech professionals, and curious minds looking to understand both the history and the future of global innovation.

2 h 30 m4 Sections
Tech, Creativity & Productivity Insights

Tech, Creativity & Productivity Insights

LEARNING PLAN

Tech, Creativity & Productivity Insights

In an era of rapid technological shifts, blending creative strategy with technical efficiency is essential for professional longevity. This plan is designed for ambitious professionals and creators looking to leverage AI and systematic innovation to stay ahead of the curve.

3 h 10 m4 Sections
Tech, Culture, Education & Creative Growth

Tech, Culture, Education & Creative Growth

LEARNING PLAN

Tech, Culture, Education & Creative Growth

As technology rapidly reshapes our social and professional landscapes, understanding the intersection of innovation and human behavior is critical. This plan is designed for leaders, educators, and creatives who need to master future-proof skills and drive meaningful change in a digital-first world.

4 h 1 m4 Sections
Self-Improvement, Wellness, Tech & Creativity

Self-Improvement, Wellness, Tech & Creativity

LEARNING PLAN

Self-Improvement, Wellness, Tech & Creativity

In an era of rapid change, success requires a balance of personal well-being and technical adaptability. This plan is designed for professionals and lifelong learners who want to optimize their health while staying competitive through AI literacy and creative problem-solving.

3 h4 Sections
Explore Wellness, Tech, Mind & Philosophy

Explore Wellness, Tech, Mind & Philosophy

LEARNING PLAN

Explore Wellness, Tech, Mind & Philosophy

In an era of rapid digital change, balancing personal health with technological progress is essential. This plan is ideal for lifelong learners seeking to integrate wellness, AI literacy, and deep philosophical inquiry into a meaningful lifestyle.

2 h 39 m4 Sections
Sam Altman's Blueprint for Bold Thinkers
BOOKS

Sam Altman's Blueprint for Bold Thinkers

Fuel innovation with books that shaped OpenAI's visionary leader.

BeFreed team

Garry Tan's Books for Visionary Builders
BOOKS

Garry Tan's Books for Visionary Builders

Discover Y Combinator CEO's picks for mastering startups, strategy, and meaningful living.

BeFreed team

Community Voices

"Kevin Kelly packages ideas — both other people's and his own"

TED

"Kevin Kelly has always been light years ahead in reporting on technological trends"

Kirkus Reviews

"Kevin Kelly has been thinking about the future in an outside-the-box way his whole career"

Smithsonian

"Kevin Kelly is one of the most original thinkers I have ever met"

Big Think

"Kevin Kelly is one of America's most influential tech writers"

Fortune

"Kevin Kelly calls himself a "radical optimist," a rare profession these days"

The Irish Times

"Kevin Kelly is Wired's Big Think guy"

The New York Times Magazine

FAQs about this page

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
1.5K Ratings4.7
Start your learning journey, now