This Could Be Our Future by Yancey Strickler Summary

This Could Be Our Future challenges profit-driven societal frameworks, advocating for a shift toward generosity, community, and long-term value. Author Yancey Strickler introduces Bentoism, a decision-making model balancing self-interest, societal good, and future consequences. The book critiques financial maximization ("FIML") and proposes redefining success through creative collaboration, ethical systems, and cultural evolution over 30 years.

Ideal for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and creatives seeking alternatives to capitalism’s limitations. It appeals to readers interested in ethical business models, systemic change, or frameworks like Bentoism for personal/professional decision-making. Strickler’s Kickstarter co-founder perspective adds relevance for startup founders and social impact leaders.

Bentoism is a four-quadrant framework guiding decisions by weighing current self, future self, current others, and future others. It visualizes choices through a "bento box" analogy, encouraging balance between immediate needs and long-term societal impacts. The method aims to reduce short-termism and foster collaborative problem-solving.

Strickler argues capitalism’s fixation on "financial maximization as life’s primary goal" (FIML) stifles creativity, equity, and sustainability. He highlights Kickstarter’s Public Benefit Corporation model as an alternative, prioritizing social responsibility alongside profit. The book critiques shareholder primacy, advocating for metrics beyond GDP to measure progress.

• "We’ve mistaken a single value (money) for a complete value system."
• "The future is a series of bento boxes—choices that ripple across time and people."

These emphasize redefining success and intergenerational accountability.

Strickler ties the book’s themes to Kickstarter’s ethos: democratizing funding for creative projects while operating as a Public Benefit Corporation. The platform’s $8B+ raised for creators exemplifies prioritizing cultural value over pure profit.

Strickler posits that cultural paradigms shift over roughly 30 years, citing examples like environmentalism’s rise. He urges readers to plant seeds for gradual systemic change rather than seeking immediate disruption.

The book provides exercises to align actions with core values using Bentoism. Readers assess choices through four lenses: now vs. later and self vs. others, fostering intentionality in career, relationships, and finances.

Some reviewers note the concepts require sustained effort to implement, and the 30-year timeline may feel abstract. However, the Bentoism framework is widely praised for its practicality in balancing idealism with actionable steps.

Unlike narrow critiques (e.g., Capital in the 21st Century), Strickler offers a solutions-focused manifesto blending philosophy, case studies, and tools. It complements works like Doughnut Economics but emphasizes individual agency in systemic change.

As AI and automation reshape economies, the book’s focus on post-capitalist systems resonates with debates about universal basic income, ethical AI, and climate action. Its Bentoism framework adapts to navigating complex, interconnected challenges.

• Audit decisions using the Bentoism grid
• Support community-driven projects (e.g., crowdfunding)
• Advocate for corporate social responsibility policies
• Measure success holistically beyond financial metrics