On the Verge

by Rebecca D. Costa

Overview

The author of The Watchman’s Rattle “has done it again. On the Verge shows how predictive technologies and science are redefining modern leadership” (George Mitchell, former Senate Majority Leader).
 
“There can be no greater advantage than certainty of the future. Not in nature. Not in business. Not in governance.” 

So begins Rebecca Costa’s much-awaited exploration of foresight: “the crowning achievement of human ambition.” According to Costa, advances in Big Data, predictive analytics, genomics, artificial intelligence, and other breakthroughs have made it possible to pinpoint future results with mind-blowing accuracy—cracking the door to what Costa calls predaptation: the ability to adapt before the fact. Never before has the information needed to avert danger, get the jump ahead of others, or prepare for the inevitable been so clearly within grasp.
 
Through fascinating real-life examples, Costa reveals how technology has brought nations, businesses, and individuals to the edge of clairvoyance. Yet, our ability to act on foreknowledge often falls short—causing leaders to squander the advantage of preemption. To counteract this failure, Costa illuminates 12 principles of adaptation, and predaptation, used to succeed in fast-moving environments. In the spirit of the best in popular science, On the Verge is a landmark examination of big-picture forces affecting society today. Costa’s unique sociobiological perspective, combined with her ability to blend humor, breaking science, and insightful personal stories, distinguishes her as one of the most important thought leaders of our time.
 
“If you have an insatiable curiosity about the impact of innovation on our world ahead and how the future can be manipulated, you will love this book.”—John Sculley, former CEO of Apple and President of Pepsi-Cola

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780795350603
Publisher:	RosettaBooks
Publication date:	10/01/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	280
Sales rank:	838,108
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Rebecca D. Costa is an American sociobiologist and futurist. She is a world renowned expert on "fast adaptation" in complex environments, and a recipient of the prestigious Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Technology Award. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, The Guardian, and other leading publications. Costa’s weekly column, THE FIX, is presently featured on Newsmax. Costa was the founder and CEO of one of the largest technology marketing firms in California, where she developed an extensive track record of introducing disruptive, bleeding edge technologies. Her clients included industry innovators such as Hewlett-Packard, Apple Computer, Oracle, Siebel Systems, General Electric, 3M, and others. She has been on the forefront of technological and scientific innovation for more than four decades. Retiring at the zenith of her career in Silicon Valley, Costa spent six years researching and writing the international bestseller The Watchman’s Rattle: A Radical New Theory of Collapse. Her follow-on book, titled On the Verge was introduced in 2017 to critical acclaim, shooting to the top of Amazon’s #1 New Business Releases. The success of The Watchman’s Rattle led to a popular weekly news program called The Costa Report which was syndicated throughout the United States until 2018. Owing to the pressures to respond more rapidly and effectively to the fast pace of change, Costa is a popular international speaker. Costa brings an evolutionary biologist and technologist’s perspective to successful adaptation. She is represented by the American Program Bureau. A global thinker in the mold of Alvin Toffler, Jared Diamond, and Thomas Friedman, Costa attributes her ability to see the _x201C_big picture_x201D_ to her cross-cultural education and upbringing. Raised in Tokyo, Japan, and Vientiane, Laos, during the Vietnam conflict, Costa brings a unique global perspective to the every day challenges of work and life. Rebecca Costa is an alumnus of the University of California at Santa Barbara and currently resides in Astoria, Oregon. For more information about Rebecca Costa and The Costa Group, visit www.rebeccacosta.com.

Table of Contents

Preface 1

Chapter One: Foresight 7

Chapter Two: To See Or Not to See 17

Chapter Three: Jumping the Jar 29

Chapter Four: Unintended, But Not Unanticipated 45

Chapter Five: Predaptation 79

Chapter Six: The Invisible Tether 137

Chapter Seven: Bioleverage 165

Chapter Eight: A Prescient Mind 193

Chapter Nine: ForeWorld 205

Acknowledgments 213

Notes 215

What People are Saying About This

George Mitchell

"Rebecca Costa has done it again. On the Verge shows how predictive technologies and science are redefining modern leadership. A book certain to make its mark on Capitol Hill."

—George Mitchell, former Senate Majority Leader

Tom Daschle

"The world is experiencing extraordinary and transformational change. Technology and big data have empowered humankind to reach new and epoch-making achievements. Rebecca Costa has brilliantly prescribed how we can harness our newfound empowerment with foresight to literally change the course of our collective future." —Tom Daschle, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader

John Sculley

"Rebecca Costa has a talent to tell stories that illustrate her keen observations and explain important cultural implications as new innovations touch our lives. If you have an insatiable curiosity about the impact of innovation on our world ahead and how the future can be manipulated, you will love this book." —John Sculley, former CEO of Apple and president of Pepsi-Cola

Tavis Smiley

"On the Verge is a stunningly insightful book of hope. Rebecca Costa brings a bold, fresh new perspective on solving our greatest problems. The answers, she explains, lies in using foreknowledge and predictive technologies to head off our difficulties before they begin. Costa is one of the Big Thinkers of our time." —Tavis Smiley, Author, Television and Radio Host

Jim Lehrer

"On the Verge is a terrific jackpot of a book. It is both page-turner entertaining and think-trigger serious about how we —meaning all of us—can get ahead of the many curves out there in our varied lives, liberties and pursuits of happiness. Read it and smile. But mostly read it and plan." — Jim Lehrer, executive editor and anchor of PBS NewsHour

From the Publisher

“ On the Verge is a terrific jackpot of a book. It is both page-turner entertaining and think-trigger serious about how we—meaning all of us—can get ahead of the many curves out there in our varied lives, liberties and pursuits of happiness. Read it and smile. But mostly read it and plan.” —Jim Lehrer, executive editor and anchor of PBS NewsHour

Craig Newmark

"On the Verge presents a useful view of how we can look ahead and invent our own future, often by predapting to possible futures. If you want to get ready for change you see coming, On the Verge can help you get the job done." —Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, entrepreneur

Alan Dershowitz

"From the beginning of recorded history, humankind has tried to predict, control, and change the future. It is a daunting task fraught with risks and rewards. Read this book if you want to be ready for the future." —Alan Dershowitz, lawyer, legal scholar, and bestselling author

Christine Todd Whitman

"The ability to predict the future has long been a goal of mankind. While not assuring infallibility, On the Verge offers tools to put that goal within reach. The potential for good is enormous." —Christine Todd Whitman, Former Governor of New Jersey and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

Morton Kondracke

"This is a dazzling book - a can't-put-down, easily understandable exploration of the potential (no, near-certainty) that Big Data and developing technologies will give mankind the ability to anticipate and solve every problem from disease to terrorism to accidents to crime. Must-read for everyone!" —Morton Kondracke, political journalist and commentator for The McLaughlin Group, The Beltway Boys, Roll Call, Fox News

Bill Richardson

"My experiences negotiating with antagonistic regimes in North Korea, Iraq and Sudan underscores the importance of heading off dangerous confrontations whenever possible, as well as how important it is for governments to adapt quickly to changing conditions. Costa's book, On the Verge, offers a first look at how predictive technologies and the 'principles of adaptation' can be used to preempt future crises. A must read."

— Bill Richardson, Energy Secretary, Governor of New Mexico, U.S.Ambassador to the United Nations, U.S. Congressman

Interviews

KEY SELLING POINTS

UNIQUE SOCIOBIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE: Costa’s unique sociobiological perspective, combined with her ability to blend humor, breaking science, and insightful personal stories, distinguishes her as one of the most important female thought leaders of the 21st Century.

BEST IN POPULAR SCIENCE: On the Verge is a landmark examination of the big-picture forces affecting society today. Rebecca Costa’s real life examples are both fascinating and accessible to businesses and individuals. It’s not money, power, or education that is vital to success; it’s foresight.