Without Their Permission
How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed
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4.5 • 29 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
As Alexis Ohanian learned when he helped to co-found the immensely popular reddit.com, the internet is the most powerful and democratic tool for disseminating information in human history. And when that power is harnessed to create new communities, technologies, businesses or charities, the results can be absolutely stunning.
In this book, Alexis will share his ideas, tips and even his own doodles about harnessing the power of the web for good, and along the way, he will share his philosophy with young entrepreneurs all over the globe.
At 29, Ohanian has come to personify the dorm-room tech entrepreneur, changing the world without asking permission. Within a couple of years of graduating from the University of Virginia, Ohanian did just that, selling reddit for millions of dollars. He's gone on to start many other companies, like hipmunk and breadpig, all while representing Y Combinator and investing in over sixty other tech startups. Without Their Permission is his personal guidebook as to how other aspiring entrepreneurs can follow in his footsteps.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In his thoroughly engaging and insightful first book, Reddit cofounder Ohanian extols the importance of a free Internet and exhorts fellow entrepreneurs to follow their dreams. Starting title-free cover and continuing throughout, Ohanian cheerfully breaks numerous business rules. After detailing how he and college friend Steve Huffman created the site reddit.com as undergrads at the University of Virginia (later selling it to Conde Nast), Ohanian then presents a helpful blueprint for readers including how to identify genuine need in the marketplace, doing the research, and attacking problems. While some pages are devoted to the fruits of Ohanian's labor, he passionately addresses what he sees as job- and innovation-killing legislation: the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT IP Act (PIPA). Ohanian convincingly argues for vigilance regarding legislation designed to limit their personal freedoms no matter how appealing the plans sound when coming from lobbyists. Despite some annoying asides, the book is worthwhile reading for all budding entrepreneurs.
Customer Reviews
Refreshing
Great story. Great message. Enough said.
So far... Not that good. Juvenile?
I'm about half-way through and wondering if it will improve- doing that cost benefit thing one does when reading a mediocre book. Yeah.