Tokens by Rachel O'Dwyer Summary
Overview of Tokens
"Tokens" reveals how digital currencies reshape power in the platform age. After a decade of research, O'Dwyer exposes the dark parallels between token economies and dystopian control, drawing connections to surveillance systems used by governments and corporations. What freedoms are we unknowingly trading away?
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Key takeaways
The Wink That Launched a Thousand Tokens
A knowing wink from an Irish entrepreneur selling phone credit-as-currency at a Vegas fintech conference captures something profound about money itself. When Zimbabwean users text airtime codes as payment instead of topping up their minutes, what are they really doing? The entrepreneur's apologetic wink says it all: this isn't quite money, but it works like money, so does the distinction even matter? We've lived with these almost-money objects since Neolithic farmers pressed clay shapes to represent grain stores. Ancient Athenians used tokens for voting and jury duty. Today's digital landscape explodes with new variations-Twitch Bits, NFTs, smart contracts, gift cards functioning as wages. These aren't aberrations or tech fads. They're the latest chapter in humanity's long, complicated relationship with value itself. What makes our moment unique is how platforms like Amazon, Facebook, and blockchain networks are reshaping this relationship, often in ways that concentrate power rather than distribute it. The question isn't whether tokens will transform our economy-they already have. The question is who controls them, and what that means for the rest of us.
When Your Paycheck Comes Wrapped as a Gift
The Money That Remembers Everything and the Butter Vouchers That Bought Cigarettes
The Commons That Became a Casino
Robin Hood with a Bloomberg Terminal
When Code Becomes Law (Until It Doesn't)
The Painting You'll Never Touch
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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