Media coverage here

Reviews 

Hugely original

" It is hugely original and thought provoking. It is also beautifully written in simple easy to follow format. I just sat down and read it end to end without losing the plot once.”

Dr Garth Carnaby - former President Royal Society of NZ

Great idea

"It's a great idea, well executed…. it's a great addition to the wider global conversation around human progress."

Dr Angus Harvey - FutureCrunch

Remarkable

“One of the best books on economics I've read as it gives you a framework to compare two eras in time. I've started using the technique when looking at innovation and it's remarkable.”       

BowTied Robin - NetGalley

Liberating

The ideas and tools contained within the covers of this book are liberating.

While newspapers and social media are consumed by 24 hour negative news cycles and encourage a sense of outrage in their readers and followers, the author gives us a simple tool to come to a liberating conclusion - we have never had it so good and we should stop wasting our time obsessing otherwise. We will all have our ups and downs but the generations that have gone before us did not live in the same degree of comfort.

Perhaps the most important message is that we should turn our backs on the constant and ultimately useless scramble for status. This is a pointless and exhausting exercise that brings no real happiness. Shedding the need for status and treating our fellow humans with equal respect leads to a much simpler and more fulfilling life.

This book is well worth reading.

AB - Amazon review

Accessible and thoughtful read which firmly challenges conventional economic theories

“A really important book which provides a new way to conceive economics in an age of exponential technology acceleration.

The book’s key concept is a deceptively simple - but powerful - tool to change how we perceive economics from absolute to relative: the Comparonomic Graph.

The book builds on this alternative analysis to propose an alternative calculation for the value of goods and services from one period to another: Speed of Economic Progress (SEP), an alternative measure of economic growth comparable to GDP.

Overall, Comparonomics is a very accessible, thoughtful and thought-provoking read which firmly challenges conventional economic theories upon which so much of our lives still seem to revolve… Recommended.”

Benedict Reid - Memia.com - Amazon

Highly accessible yet highly thought-provoking

“Grant Ryan is one of my favourite thinkers, and Comparonomics doesn't disappoint. It's an accessible, well-written, fresh take on how we measure happiness and well-being. Caution: may cause you to realise just how lucky you are.” 

Kaila J. Colbin - Amazon

Exceptionally enjoyable read

“In Comparonomics, Ryan makes a compelling argument for why we ought to be rethinking our approach to measuring the progress of society over time. Economists are frequently guilty of relying on specific forms of data (average real income, for example, which is often thought to be stagnating) to provide an estimate of our standard of living, and Comparonomics argues that there is a better approach.

Using a novel tool (a "comparonometer"), Ryan makes the compelling case that standard of living has progressed more rapidly than one might think. The author then explores a range of explanations for why we might have these misconceptions in the first place, and then discusses the potential implications for policy-makers of his approach. Particularly interesting is the section on the rejection of status-based discrimination and the potential benefits that may accrue from this.

The book is exceptionally enjoyable to read. As a teacher of Economics to high school students, I have gained an appreciation of books on technical subjects that are not only well articulated conceptually, but also fun for those with a developing interest. These books (e.g. The Undercover Economist, and now also Comparonomics) are exactly the kind of books I like to recommend to my students. Throughout this book, Ryan's writing has a clarity, but also a sense of humour (supported by his personal experiences), that is somewhat unusual in the genre. There were several moments, for example, that made me genuinely laugh out loud. For those keen on the technical details and specifics, these are there too; this is a well-researched and convincing argument for a revision to our approach to measuring economic performance.”

Stuart Foster - Economics teacher - GoodReads

Important message

“It's an important message that we need to remind ourselves of on a daily basis” 

Paul Ollinger, CrazyMoney

Will change the way you look at life

“Comparonomics is a new way of looking at economics that gives clear evidence that the quality of life is improving, helps us understand why it doesn’t always feel that way and provides suggestions on how we can change our mindset. The book introduces a new visual tool called a comparonomic graph that allows you to easily and quickly compare the quality of life at different times across a number of dimensions. This tool shows clearly that life is much better now than it has ever been.

A surprising number of “feel bad” factors are described, explaining why, despite the clear evidence we as a society don’t feel like life is that good.

Finally the book explains some simple and practical ways that we can change our mindset: understand that life is good and reject the idea of social status. Following these suggestions could make you and the world a happier place. “

Shaun Ryan - Amazon

Uplifting stuff

The great thing about Comparonomics is that author Grant Ryan doesn't just make his point in words – that life is better than you think – he has developed a set of exercises that allows you as an individual to prove it. His book is a careful, well-mapped journey, well-constructed and logical, at the end of which you realise that too often you've been looking down the wrong end of the telescope. Life really is better than you think and we can rid ourselves of negative thoughts and attitudes, often about things we can't control. Great writing. Clear, concise, thoughtful, humorous. I helped Grant with some editing but he did me the bigger favour.”

Clive Lind - Author and editor - Amazon

Mind opening

“It's interesting, mind opening, and puts your life into perspective” 

Cait Gillespie, NetGalley

Terrific read

"it’s a terrific read…easy to follow and messages are clear…part 3 was particularly thought provoking"

A Brown, Switzerland

Feedback on RNZ interview

Why life is better than you think

“The interview with Grant Ryan is some of the most sensible logic I have heard in recent times. When one compares this pandemic to the Spanish flu pandemic, "we really don't know how lucky we are". For us in NZ we all won lotto the day we were born here we just have to learn to appreciate it”

Good morning Lynne. Thank goodness for the interview on economics and the need for a better awareness of how the present compares w the past. This need for awareness is long overdue, given all the negativity on - line and in the media. Best Wishes and Thank You

“I agree with your guest. The amount of whining and self pity I hear from well off, well loved people is appalling! Get a smile on, you can make life good.”

“Love this man. Life is all about perception, the way we look at EVERYTHING. I agree, we have never had it so good. I am on a pension, trying to sell my old house, but as a kid we never had a house of our own. I have a house, a car, a phone and more food than I can consume. I am blessed.”

“Love this man...going to buy his book.”

“As an 86 yo that has 'been there-done-that'; I find it very difficult to disagree with the assertions stated by the author.”

“Re. Current interview ... your author is correct. 'Gratitude' is sadly lacking in our society.”

“Interesting conversation with Lynn Freeman. I had a hip problem in 1968 and was told ' I'd be in a wheelchair one day' . Had a hip replacement in 1997 and two new knees in past year...so am grateful I'm able to live a normal life.”

“Thank you! Middle billion interview. Yes, we are finally hearing about how fortunate we mostly are. In this age of plenty we are grumpy because we don't have more. We all need to think about the amount we do have and not the lack of things we don't. Positivity doesn't have to be lightweight, dig deep and try to find the good”

“I raised my kids telling them that because they were born working/ middle class in NZ now, they are among the best off people on earth and in history. Decades later my daughter returned from a world trip, reminded me of my words, and agreed”