The Seventh Sense: Power, Fortune, and Survival in the Age of Networks by Joshua Cooper Ramo

Joshua Cooper Ramo’s book “The Seventh Sense: Power, Fortune, and Survival in the Age of Networks” explores how interconnected networks are changing global power dynamics, and how adaptations and preparation for the coming age are essential for success.

The book’s title, “The Seventh Sense,” cites Ramo’s notion that networks offer an additional form of perception—a “seventh sense” that can give individuals or groups an edge in detecting and responding to critical changes. This seventh sense is a combination of technological, economic, and political analysis.

Ramo suggests that network effects are creating an “age of networks”—an age in which connected individuals, businesses, and nations are increasingly powerful, and increasingly vulnerable to disruption. He states that this evolution is accelerating, and has already had profound effects on the global economy.

Rather than worry about a technological apocalypse, Ramo urges readers to embrace the changes that a networked world brings. He suggests that global forces are driving a large-scale shift from the limited nation-state centered world to a more open, networked world. This shift could bring both positive and negative consequences, and it is necessary for individuals, businesses, and nations to adapt to the changing environment in order to survive.

For instance, Ramo describes how unpredictable network effects can easily cause cascades of interconnected, unexpected consequences, making it difficult to anticipate and plan for the future. While this uncertainty can be frightening and disorienting, he argues that it can also open up unprecedented opportunities. He suggests rethinking the way nations and companies work and develop strategy in order to make use of the increased power, influence, and flexibility that networks can offer.

Moreover, Ramo argues that networks are also effectively creating a “global commons”, in which individuals, companies, and nations must cooperate to achieve common goals. This type of cooperation is necessary to protect global interests and secure the long-term prosperity of all parties involved.

Ramo’s “The Seventh Sense: Power, Fortune, and Survival in the Age of Networks” is a thought-provoking exploration of how the world is rapidly changing, and how individuals and organizations must adapt to succeed in a world of interconnected networks. By combining insights from a variety of disciplines, the book highlights the opportunities—and the uncertainties—that come with today’s interconnected world, and offers ideas for navigating the changes and seizing the power of networks. For readers looking for a comprehensive guide to prospering in the age of networks, The Seventh Sense is a must-read.