The Leisure Economy: How changing demographics, economics,
and generational attitudes will reshape our lives and our industries
Author: Linda Nazareth
Published by: John Wiley and Sons
As you read this book, you’ll wish you had paid more attention to your economics professor in university. Instead of a barrage of arcane economic theories, which I remember from my not-too-recent experience in class, author Linda Nazareth presents her case for the leisure economy through stories, shared life experiences, hard data and some theory.
Nazareth has an easy style of writing, presenting her ideas and conclusions in such a way that all of us — even those without an economics degree — can grasp. Considering the combined effect of demographics, differences in generational attitudes, and the economy, Nazareth attempts to predict our uncertain future. Business operators and investors will need to consider all these major influences going forward.
Nazareth’s ideas and descriptions are entertaining. The first chapter, “The Colour-Coded Refrigerator” will make sense to many Boomers who programmed their lives and those of their children to the nth degree. And what about those kids? I was especially interested in the chapter titled “In Praise of Slacking” and its most important sub-chapter, “The Slackers Go to Work.” That sounds like a good idea to me.
Will there be a leisure economy? No doubt. Retired Boomers will make sure of this. Will everyone get to experience it equally? Not really. Nazareth takes a shot at tomorrow’s big trends and why they will happen. Want a chance to be a winner in the new leisure economy? Read this book.
About Gord White
