In “Thank You for Being Late,” his most ambitious work to date, Thomas L. Friedman explores the age of dizzying acceleration we have entered and provides insights on how to navigate it. With the exponential increase in computing power, we witness phenomena like climbers atop Mount Everest enjoying excellent cell phone service and self-driving cars taking to the roads. Simultaneously, there’s been a parallel explosion of economic interdependency, leading to both new riches and spiraling debt burdens. Mother Nature is also experiencing dramatic changes, with rising carbon levels and species extinction having compounding effects.

Friedman delves into how these changes interact and how we can cope with them. He reflects on his Minnesota childhood, portraying a world where politics functioned and achieving middle-class status was attainable. Today, however, while it’s easier than ever to be a maker (with advancements like 3D printing) or a breaker (as seen with groups like the Islamic State utilizing social media), it’s harder than ever to be a leader or even just “average.”

Friedman proposes that nations and individuals must embrace three key principles: being fast (innovative and adaptable), fair (ready to assist those affected by change), and slow (skilled at filtering out noise and accessing core values). With vision, authority, and wit, Friedman offers a blueprint for understanding and thriving in our rapidly changing times.