George Gilder

George Gilder is an American author and entrepreneur who has been writing and speaking on economics, technology, and culture for over four decades. He has authored twenty books, including bestsellers such as Wealth and Poverty, Life After Television, and Microcosm. Gilder has been a great influence on how we think about technology, economics and the technological transformation of the world.

Gilder wrote his first book, Wealth and Poverty, in 1981. In it, he praised free market capitalism and argued that economic inequality increased, while poverty decreased, under capitalism. He wrote that “poverty is a result of failed policies, not of immutable traits or economic relationships.” His views, based on supply side economics, quickly became popular not only among economists, but also among President Reagan and other prominent conservative politicians, most famously Ronald Reagan’s “Reaganomics.”

Gilder's fascination with technology led him to write Life after Television in 1990. Here, he argued that the "third wave" technology of digital communications would lead to the downfall of television culture. He argued for a “Telecosm” connectedness among people, and he predicted the rise of the Internet and mobile devices. Gilder’s predictions have proven to be largely accurate, and his book is a major influence in the technology industry today.

Then in 1993, Gilder wrote Microcosm, a detailed look at the Digital Revolution and its implications. In this book, he argued that new advances in technology, such as the personal computer, cellular phone, and the Internet, were transforming the economic and social structure of the world. He predicted that these advances would continue to bring drastic changes to our lives, including the downfall of legacy industries, the rise of an "infoglut" economy and the development of a worldwide digital economy.

Gilder’s most recent book is The Scandal of Money: Why Wall Street Recovers but the Economy Never Does. In this book, he argues that Wall Street’s profits are driven by a financial economy that sacrifices the broader economy and society. He calls for sweeping reforms to the current financial system, including taxation of certain financial instruments and a powerful new regulatory structure to prevent the wrongdoing of financial firms.

In addition to writing books, Gilder has been an advisor to senior US government leaders including Presidents Reagan and Trump, worked as an economic consultant, and founded several small businesses. He has appeared frequently in the media, including appearances on television and radio. In 1994, Gilder was even featured on the cover of TIME Magazine.

Gilder’s views have been highly influential in the technology, economics, and culture of the last forty years. His works have been used as reference material for entire industries and have been cited by countless publications. His thirty-year-old book Wealth and Poverty remains one of the most cited books in economics. Gilder has also been a strong advocate for technology and for its positive effects on our lives and our societies. In sum, George Gilder is a renowned author, entrepreneur and public figure whose presence and books remain influential today.