Let My People Go Surfing

“In his long-awaited memoir, Yvon Chouinard-legendary climber, businessman, environmentalist, and founder of Patagonia, Inc.-shares the persistence and courage that have gone into being head of one of the most respected and environmentally responsible companies on earth. From his youth as the son of a French Canadian blacksmith to the thrilling, ambitious climbing expeditions that inspired his innovative designs for the sport’s equipment, Let My People Go Surfing is the story of a man who brought doing good and having grand adventures into the heart of his business life-a book that will deeply affect entrepreneurs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.”

Having a small footprint on the earth should be what everyone does. Or if we have a large footprint (which we’ve had even before agriculture), should we not strive to find out how to do this in a way that is sustainable (even if that is only for ourselves).

In The Beginning of Infinity, David Deutsch argues against the ‘Planet Earth’ idea of a happy planet that is made just for us. And I agree there. What I think he and Yvon can agree on is that what we’re doing now is not a ‘beginning of infinity’, that by doing the things we’re doing, we don’t have any doing left in 100-200 years. But will we innovate ourselves out of this rut? That is the question.

In the book there are many lessons on leadership (e.g. MBA, management by absence) and how to run a company and do good. I can highly recommend reading it.