March 2021

Enríquez is a Mexican-American academic, businessman, author and speaker (you may have seen his 2020 TED talk which I recommend to you if not).

He brings a rich historical analysis of what drives society’s understanding of right and wrong. We often think that ethical behaviour is something immovable and that there is an eternal truth to good and bad behaviours and attitudes. Our view of others, especially those in the past, is framed by such an approach.

Reading this book will probably make you feel gently but firmly chided for such a view. It is the gift of a good author (of any genre) who can give the reader tools to create intellectual and emotional headspace to reconsider their own views and opinions, in a way that doesn’t leave you feeling patronised or foolish.

Essentially, Enríquez argues powerfully that ethics change over time and that technology changes ethics; we are in an age of exponentially changing technologies; ergo we are in an age of exponentially changing ethics.

What should our reaction be to this simple but powerful revelation?

“In an era of extreme polarization and certainty, we need a touch more humility, less blame, and a certain knowledge that our descendants will consider us savages for some of the things wo do today.”

I am often struck by how simple (and easily accessible) the solutions can be to some of the world’s most vexing challenges. Surely it is not too much to ask for us all to be a little more humble and a little less ready to blame others.

As one reviewer notes, Enríquez’s book is like a roller coaster – a joyride for the mind whilst also being undeniably scary. A difficult combination to pull off, but pull it off he does! And he leaves the reader with a wonderful sense of optimism that we can and should make a more positive difference.

“The choices we make today will determine the future of humanity. Literally.”