Mission Economy

01What's moonshot thinking all about?

Let's take a trip back in time to the 1960s. The United States was in the throes of the Cold War, and President John F. Kennedy had just announced an audacious goal: to land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth before the decade was out. This was no small feat. It required the collective effort of thousands of people, billions of dollars, and a level of technological innovation that was, at the time, unheard of. But guess what? They did it. The Apollo moon landing project was a success, and it stands as a testament to what can be achieved when we set our sights high and work together towards a common goal. Now, let's bring that same spirit of audacity and collective effort to our economic system. This is the essence of 'moonshot' thinking, a concept that Mariana Mazzucato explores in her book "Mission Economy: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism". Just as the Apollo project set a bold goal and mobilized the resources to achieve it, 'moonshot' thinking in economics involves setting ambitious societal goals and mobilizing our economic resources to achieve them. Our current form of capitalism has its issues. Income inequality is rampant, environmental degradation is accelerating, and access to basic services like healthcare and education is far from universal. These are not small problems, and they won't be solved with small solutions. They require a 'moonshot' approach, a redefinition of the goals of capitalism to focus not just on profit, but on broader societal benefits. The potential benefits of this approach are immense. By redefining the goals of capitalism, we can work towards reducing inequality, promoting sustainability, and ensuring access to basic services for all. Of course, this won't be easy. Just as the Apollo project faced numerous challenges, so too will the implementation of a 'moonshot' approach to capitalism. But as the Apollo project showed us, audacious goals can be achieved with collective effort and the right resources. So, what's moonshot thinking all about? It's about setting ambitious goals, mobilizing resources, and working collectively to achieve them. It's about not settling for the status quo, but striving for something better. It's about transforming capitalism from a system that benefits the few to one that benefits the many. And just as the Apollo project transformed our understanding of what's possible, a 'moonshot' approach to capitalism has the potential to transform our economy for the better. So, are you ready to take the leap? The journey won't be easy, but the destination is worth it. And who knows? Maybe one day, we'll look back on this moment as the start of a new era in economic history, just as we look back on the Apollo project as a defining moment in human history.