Another Now Dispatches from an Alternative Present
by Yanis Varoufakis, Giannēs Baruphakēs
7.6 / 10 2.6K ratings
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2021
- Publisher
- Vintage
- Pages
- 240
- ISBN
- 9781529110630
Imagine a world where the financial crisis of 2008 sparked a global high-tech uprising, leading to a truly democratized, post-capitalist society. In this alternative present, banks, stock markets, and tech giants are obsolete, replaced by systems where work, money, land, and digital networks serve collective well-being. World-renowned economist Yanis Varoufakis, through a work of speculative fiction, invites readers to explore this radical "Another Now" through the eyes of a disillusioned computer engineer who stumbles upon a portal to this parallel reality.
This thought experiment challenges the notion that there is no alternative to our current economic system, presenting a detailed vision of how such a society could function. As characters grapple with the implications of a world without traditional capitalism, the book prompts fundamental questions about fairness, equality, and the feasibility of a truly just society. It offers a compelling exploration of what humanity could achieve if it chose a different path in the face of crisis.
This thought experiment challenges the notion that there is no alternative to our current economic system, presenting a detailed vision of how such a society could function. As characters grapple with the implications of a world without traditional capitalism, the book prompts fundamental questions about fairness, equality, and the feasibility of a truly just society. It offers a compelling exploration of what humanity could achieve if it chose a different path in the face of crisis.
Subjects
Original edition
Another Now Dispatches from an Alternative PresentOriginally published in 2020 English Bodley Head
Other editions (4)
Listen to the summary Narrated summary
The year is 2035. At a quiet funeral for Iris, a fierce revolutionary and leftist feminist, an old comrade named Costa approaches Yango. Costa, with an air of profound urgency, implores Yango to fulfill Iris's final wish: to delve into her secret diaries and unearth their shared story. Yet, a crucial caveat hangs in the air – Yango must meticulously omit any detail that might allow powerful tech conglomerates to replicate Costa's groundbreaking technologies. That very night, Yango begins his descent into Iris's meticulously kept chronicles. He discovers within their pages a startling account of how Costa's revolutionary inventions had, in fact, unveiled a fully democratized, post-capitalist society that actually exists. Suddenly, Costa's fervent obsession with the shadowy hackers attempting to steal his secrets makes chilling sense.
The heart of Iris's diaries reveals the journey of Costa, a brilliant but deeply disillusioned computer engineer. He had toiled for years on a technology, not to enslave, but to offer a glimpse of a life beyond the confines of dreams. During one of its trial runs, a cosmic wormhole accidentally tore open, bridging realities. Through this ethereal rift, Costa encountered his own DNA double, living in a parallel 2025 – a world vastly different from his own. In this "Other Now," the global financial crisis of 2008 had not been squandered. Instead, it ignited a high-tech uprising that birthed a truly democratized, post-capitalist society.
This alternative present, unfolding just a decade ahead of Costa's own time, offered a vision of radical transformation. Banks had been abolished, along with the predatory, data-mining digital monopolies that dominated his reality. The relentless gig economy was a relic of the past. Work, money, land, digital networks, and even politics had been fundamentally democratized. Companies operated as worker cooperatives, devoid of traditional hierarchies, where revenue was distributed equitably, and individuals were free to pursue careers, even in "non-lucrative topics, from Sumerian pottery to astrophysics." Universal basic income ensured a safety net, and the very concept of individual income tax was replaced by a small percentage of corporate revenue funding public services.
Intoxicated by this discovery, Costa journeyed to England, eager to share his revelation with Iris, his old comrade, and her neighbor, Eva – a former banker who had reinvented herself as a neoliberal economics professor. The trio, each representing distinct ideological perspectives, found themselves drawn into Costa's workshop in America. There, they met their own doubles from the "Other Now," engaging in fervent, Socratic dialogues that challenged their deeply held beliefs and forced them to confront the stark truths of their own world. These conversations, sometimes cacophonous, sometimes harmonious, explored the intricate workings of this realistic utopia, revealing both its profound advantages and its unexpected imperfections.
Yet, the fragile bridge between these two realities began to falter. The cosmic wormhole, once a gateway to hope, showed signs of deterioration, threatening to sever their connection. Simultaneously, the shadowy hackers intensified their assaults on Costa's revolutionary technology, seeking to exploit its secrets. Time was running out. The deepening obsession with the "Other Now" compelled Costa, Iris, and Eva to confront a monumental choice: which 2025 did they truly desire to inhabit? Their journey was not merely an intellectual exercise but a visceral encounter with the possibilities of a different future, pressing upon them the ultimate question: how far are we willing to go to bring a truly better world into being?
The heart of Iris's diaries reveals the journey of Costa, a brilliant but deeply disillusioned computer engineer. He had toiled for years on a technology, not to enslave, but to offer a glimpse of a life beyond the confines of dreams. During one of its trial runs, a cosmic wormhole accidentally tore open, bridging realities. Through this ethereal rift, Costa encountered his own DNA double, living in a parallel 2025 – a world vastly different from his own. In this "Other Now," the global financial crisis of 2008 had not been squandered. Instead, it ignited a high-tech uprising that birthed a truly democratized, post-capitalist society.
This alternative present, unfolding just a decade ahead of Costa's own time, offered a vision of radical transformation. Banks had been abolished, along with the predatory, data-mining digital monopolies that dominated his reality. The relentless gig economy was a relic of the past. Work, money, land, digital networks, and even politics had been fundamentally democratized. Companies operated as worker cooperatives, devoid of traditional hierarchies, where revenue was distributed equitably, and individuals were free to pursue careers, even in "non-lucrative topics, from Sumerian pottery to astrophysics." Universal basic income ensured a safety net, and the very concept of individual income tax was replaced by a small percentage of corporate revenue funding public services.
Intoxicated by this discovery, Costa journeyed to England, eager to share his revelation with Iris, his old comrade, and her neighbor, Eva – a former banker who had reinvented herself as a neoliberal economics professor. The trio, each representing distinct ideological perspectives, found themselves drawn into Costa's workshop in America. There, they met their own doubles from the "Other Now," engaging in fervent, Socratic dialogues that challenged their deeply held beliefs and forced them to confront the stark truths of their own world. These conversations, sometimes cacophonous, sometimes harmonious, explored the intricate workings of this realistic utopia, revealing both its profound advantages and its unexpected imperfections.
Yet, the fragile bridge between these two realities began to falter. The cosmic wormhole, once a gateway to hope, showed signs of deterioration, threatening to sever their connection. Simultaneously, the shadowy hackers intensified their assaults on Costa's revolutionary technology, seeking to exploit its secrets. Time was running out. The deepening obsession with the "Other Now" compelled Costa, Iris, and Eva to confront a monumental choice: which 2025 did they truly desire to inhabit? Their journey was not merely an intellectual exercise but a visceral encounter with the possibilities of a different future, pressing upon them the ultimate question: how far are we willing to go to bring a truly better world into being?
What other readers say
Liked
Reviewers widely praise this book for its ambitious and accessible exploration of alternatives to contemporary capitalism. Many found the author's ability to demystify complex economic theories into engaging and understandable concepts particularly impressive. The use of a science fiction premise, involving a parallel universe, is frequently highlighted as a clever and effective narrative device that makes the intricate thought experiments more palatable and stimulating than a traditional economic treatise. Readers appreciated that the book not only critiques existing systems but also offers concrete, detailed, and inspiring blueprints for a more equitable and democratic society, fostering a sense of hope that fundamental change is indeed possible.
Disliked
Despite the innovative format, some readers found the fictional narrative, or "frame story," to be cumbersome, repetitive, and at times tedious, feeling it overshadowed the substantive economic discussions. Critiques also emerged regarding the presented alternative society, with some describing it as overly simplistic, lacking in realistic complexity, or having an unconvincingly smooth transition into being. Specific proposed solutions were questioned for their practicality, particularly concerning human prejudices and the likelihood of powerful entities relinquishing control without significant resistance. A common sentiment among long-time followers of the author was a desire for more in-depth economic debate and less fictional scaffolding, noting perceived shortcomings in addressing critical issues like climate change or the deeper philosophical implications of a market-driven society.
In short
Overall, the book is considered a highly stimulating and thought-provoking read that successfully challenges the notion that "There Is No Alternative" to the current economic system. While not universally acclaimed as a literary masterpiece, its primary strength lies in its function as a compelling thought experiment and a detailed vision for a post-capitalist world. It is highly recommended for readers interested in economics, particularly those seeking to understand critiques of capitalism and explore viable, imaginative alternatives. It appeals especially to those who appreciate a unique blend of speculative fiction and political economy, and who are open to big ideas that inspire questioning and optimism for a different future.
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