Author-in-Residence Tom Evans on “This We Know”: Reimagining What We Know to Create a Better Future

As our Book Ravers Author-in-Residence Tom Evans discusses his short philosophy book This We Know, inspired and written in two weeks in 2012, which explores what we know, what we don’t know, and how different thinking can shape a better world for future generations. He explains his method of starting each chapter with a surprising fact (like coconuts being fruit) and “riffing” into wider perspectives, describing the writing process as a form of channeling and including a postscript imagining “The World We Could Know” in 2112. Evans argues that imagination and perspective drive progress (as with Star Trek “communicators” becoming mobile phones), encourages readers to become disruptors now, and calls for using human intelligence and resources to sustain the biosphere, reduce conflict, and invest in healing and education, emphasising grassroots change over outdated leadership. 00:00 Welcome and premise 00:48 Facts that challenge 01:21 Writing by channeling 02:08 Future world postscript 04:08 Sci fi ideas levitons 05:56 Why this book matters 07:33 Big picture resources 08:15 Review and gauntlet 09:31 Perspective over fear 10:57 Grassroots change 11:52 Sequel and closing