Preface
Introduction: Welcome to the Future
Chapter 1: Pragmatic Idealists
Chapter 2: Fast Future, Present Shock
Chapter 3: First Digitals
Chapter 4: Twenty-First-Century Capitalism
Chapter 5: Political Pivot
Chapter 6: Globalized
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Notes
David D. Burstein is the founder and executive director of Generation18 and director of the documentary 18 in '08. A frequent contributor to Fast Company, Burstein has appeared as a commentator on youth and politics for a range of publications and media outlets, including CNN, ABC, NPR, the New York Times, USA Today, the Boston Globe, and the Philadelphia Inquirer. He lives in New York City.
“The millennials are a unique generation with a strong
entrepreneurial streak that has seen them create some of the most
impactful businesses of this century. As a millennial entrepreneur,
I found Fast Future to be an inspiring and powerful account of the
world we live and work in every day.”
—Ben Lerer, Founder & CEO, Thrillist
"An inspiring look at what the millennial generation is doing in
America...Burstein's interviews and firsthand accounts bring to
light these young people, and readers will gain a deeper
appreciation and awareness of the rapid progress and changes that
have occurred worldwide since the advent of the Internet.
Stimulating accounts of what is being accomplished by an ambitious
generation."
—Kirkus Reviews
“In Fast Future, David Burstein provides a personal and compelling
picture of his generation. Millennials are pragmatic idealists and
the first digitals, able to handle the fast pace of today’s world
while they remake our economic and democratic political systems.
Read this book not only to understand the future but also how the
millennials are poised to shape it.”
—Michael D. Hais and Morley Winograd, authors of Millennial
Momentum
“David Burstein’s generation—a diverse, connected, and
entrepreneurial lot that came of age around the Millennium—has
already changed the face of politics from Washington to Cairo and
beyond. Millennials are distinct and powerful, though
scholarship about them has been slapdash and haphazard. Enter
David Burstein. With Fast Future, Burstein cements his
reputation as the millennial generation’s most thoughtful and
insightful public intellectual.”
—David King, Harvard University
“Today’s young people really are unique. Technology has made them
the best informed generation of young people that the world has
ever seen. Their understanding of the problems facing the world has
made them the most socially responsible generation ever. And
finally their knowledge and understanding of how to use the tools
of the digital and social revolution has made them the most
powerful generation ever. David Burstein’s excellent book tells the
story of his own generation: read it and you’ll know why we should
all be listening to them."
—David Jones, Global CEO, HAVAS & Co-Founder, One Young World
“Young Boomers once transformed America’s inner world, creating new
visions and values that dazzled the firmament. Today’s young
Millennials are transforming America’s outer world, moving at
lightning speed to build new institutions, communities, and
infrastructure that will actually realize the ideals of their
parents and grandparents. David Burstein, a Millennial at the
forefront of his generation’s obsession with making things work
again, explains why this generational revolution started, how it is
spreading, and where it is going.”
—Neil Howe, coauthor of Millennials Rising
“This book is passionate, optimistic, witty, inspired, and
inspirational. David Burstein writes about his generation
with great hope and confidence, but also with an uncanny ability to
keep his feet on the ground and realize that his is not the first
group of young people who expect to change the world. Yet his
belief that his generation can in fact change the world will be
refreshing and uplifting to readers of all ages.”
—Michael O’Hanlon, coauthor of A War Like No Other and Bending
History
“We are leaving the young with an unacceptable future—ballooning
debts, unthinkable tax increases, historically slow growth, an
economy vulnerable to crises, and a paralyzed politics. Until
now, the involvement of the young has been viewed as a combination
of ignorance and apathy. I was delighted to read Fast Future,
a book with such a hopeful outlook.”
—Pete Peterson, Former Secretary of Commerce and Co-Founder, The
Blackstone Group
“Fast Future is an incisive look at the generation that elected
Barack Obama and is changing the way we do everything. David
Burstein has written a must read book about the most
individually empowered generation in history—his own.”
—Howard Dean, Former Governor of Vermont
“Exponentially growing technology that we have all experienced over
the past decade is daunting. But the generation at the forefront of
this change is far from challenged. From technology to radical new
business models, in Fast Future, David Burstein tells the
compelling and truly unique story of how his generation is seizing
opportunities to create a world of abundance.”
—Peter H. Diamandis, Chairman and CEO, X PRIZE Foundation, coauthor
of Abundance
“David Burstein breathes the pulse of the Millennial generation
like no other. People may struggle to define us, but through
David’s voice we have a resounding advocate who expertly
understands and articulates our commitment to social change.”
—Adam Braun, Founder and CEO, Pencils of Promise
“The Millennial Generation is the biggest and most diverse in
American history; soon they will run the country. In the great
tradition of writers who help define their own generations, David
Burstein offers a moving and insightful portrait of Millennial
America.”
—Peter Levine, Director of CIRCLE (Center for Information &
Research on Civic Learning & Engagement)
“David Burstein is living proof of why the millennial generation is
so promising. Like other millennials, Burstein is idealistic yet
pragmatic, globally minded, and determined. In Fast Future,
Burstein pulls from his own experiences and observations to depict
a generation well suited to tackle the seemingly insurmountable
challenges before us. Fast Future is at least as much a telling of
the generation’s story as it is a declaration of its
potential.”
—David Gergen, Senior Political Analyst, CNN, Professor, Harvard
Kennedy School
“Here David Burstein tackles how new technology and the millennial
generation will forever make an impact on our country and the
world. Whether it is through politics, economics, or computer
science, David deftly demonstrates the large and small changes that
are being made. A must read for anyone looking to understand where
the world is going and how we got there.”
—Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
“David's reflections are a fast, fun, informative read.”
—Nancy Lublin, CEO, DoSomething.org
“As young social entrepreneurs, Fast Future spoke to our core by
telling the story of an exciting turning point that will change the
course of history. That is, if we can channel this energy.
David Burstein takes a deep and nuanced look at the potential young
people have and the terrible missed opportunity of not capitalizing
on the innovation of the millennial generation. David himself
represents the savvy impatience, the industriousness, and the
possibilities of the millennial generation: this book is not to be
missed or ignored. And, in Fast Future, he presents us with the
opportunity to re-imagine how generations can work together to
create a more innovative, equitable world—today.”
—Jessica Posner Odede and Kennedy Odede, Co-Founders, Shining Hope
for Communities
“With careful research and thoughtful observation, David Burstein
holds a mirror up to his own generation and tries to help all of us
better understand who they are, what matters to them, and how they
may shape the future. Everyone who is fascinated by Millennials—and
how can we not be?—will learn something from this book.”
—Judy Woodruff, PBS NewsHour
“Fast Future is a fantastic read for anyone who is curious
about the mindset and perspective that the Millennial generation is
bringing to their businesses, their politics, and their personal
lives. Millennials will continue to shape that world as their ranks
elevate to higher levels in corporations and governments and, if
Fast Future is any indication, they’ll not be shy about
letting you know that they’ve arrived.”—Forbes.com
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