Category: Future

  • Day 5 — 3 Days Left until Launch

    Day 5 — 3 Days Left until Launch

    Today, I want to share the first ten pages of Chapter 5: “Panic.”

    This is the moment where the future really begins.

    Until now, we’ve followed Benjamin Michaels in a world that feels uncomfortably close to our own — a man of wealth, power, and terminal illness, making one last bet on a future he may never see.

    Then… he wakes up.

    And nothing makes sense.

    This is the first chapter set in the future. It’s long. It’s raw. It’s where everything he thought was real begins to unravel — and where his real journey begins. Not just across time, but inward. Because waking up isn’t just about cryogenics. It’s about transformation.

    Thank you for following me on this countdown. If you’ve preordered already — truly, thank you. And if not, the book is still just $0.99 until launch day.


    👉

    GET YOUR COPY

    Now, here is:

    Chapter 5: Panic

    (excerpt begins below)

    5. Panic

    A faint, rhythmic beeping pierced the black void. Muffled voices murmured nearby, pulling Benjamin Michaels from the abyss of unconsciousness. Slowly, the darkness began to crack, light bleeding through in soft, overexposed patches.

    “All systems are working now,” Dr. Alvarez said, her voice firm and clinical. Her long black hair framed a face both striking and calm, her faint Spanish accent giving her words a soothing cadence.  

    “Okay,” Dr. Carter responded, his youthful enthusiasm barely concealed under his professional demeanor. This one male. Tinged with curiosity, “Let’s see if there’s any consciousness in there.”  

    Ben’s mind floated somewhere between awareness and confusion. He tried to anchor himself, but the words drifting through the haze made no sense.  

    “Not too much cell damage, at least on this one,” Dr. Alvarez continued.  

    “Yes, he’s from 2015. They’d come quite far with the vitrification process by then. These people actually have a chance. Only thirty years earlier, and they’re… mishmash.” Dr. Carter added.

    Mishmash? Ben’s groggy mind grasped at the term, but it slipped through his mental fingers like smoke.  

    The man’s voice took on a note of excitement. “Pretty incredible, this project. I’m glad there was a consensus on waking up the stiffs. I mean, we’re waking up people from a century ago! Imagine the mindset differences. He’s in for quite the surprise.”  

    “Let’s hope he can integrate easily,” Dr. Alvarez replied. “You’re new here, aren’t you? This is my hundredth wake-up.”  

    Her tone softened, and Ben felt the weight of her words pressing against the fog in his brain.  

    “He could come around any time now.”  

    The light grew sharper, shapes beginning to form. A blurred ceiling loomed overhead, sterile and sleek, punctuated by the hum of advanced medical equipment. Two figures hovered in his periphery, their faces indistinct.  

    “I think the time is now,” Dr. Carter said. “His eyes are open.”  

    Ben blinked, the blurry shapes sharpening into the faces of a man and a woman dressed in futuristic white coats. 

    A third figure, a nurse, stood off to the side, observing silently.  

    “Mr. Michaels?” Dr. Carter asked.  

    Ben struggled to form words. His throat felt dry, his tongue leaden. “Wh… where am I?”  

    “You’re at the Cryonics Hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona,” Dr. Alvarez answered. “I think you should rather ask ‘when,’ not ‘where.’”  

    “When?”  

    “The year is 2115 in your time frame,” Dr. Carter said, smiling slightly.”Although we call it 56 YC now. You’ve been asleep for a hundred years. Welcome back.”  

    A hundred years? Ben’s breath caught in his throat. He tried to sit up but was immediately overwhelmed by dizziness. The woman reached out, steadying him with a firm hand.  

    “Take it slow,” she said. “Can I call you Ben?”

      He nodded weakly.

    “We just need to run a few basic tests,” she continued, holding up two fingers. “How many fingers do you see?”  

    “Two,” he muttered, his voice hoarse.  

    “Good. Can you tell me your full name?”  

    “Benjamin Thomas Michaels. YC?”

    “Yes. The Year of Civilization. The first year no human was killed by another human on the planet.” Dr. Alvarez replied.  

    She looked into the air in front of her, her gaze flickering as if reading something only she could see. “Your mother’s name?”  

    “Sarah,” he said automatically.  

    “And her maiden name?”  

    “Johnson.”  

    “Excellent.” The woman straightened, sharing a brief glance with her colleague. “How are you feeling, Ben? Any headaches?”  

    “A little…” He reached up, brushing his fingers against his face. His hair was longer, thicker than he remembered. His chin, usually neatly shaved, felt strange with a wild and untamed beard.  

    “We wash it but let it grow,” Dr. Carter explained. “Letting you decide your style for yourself later.”  

    Dr. Alvarez adjusted his bed, easing it into a sitting position. “Let’s see if you can sit up without dizziness. There are still some nanobots in your bloodstream, repairing damaged cells. You might feel them as a faint tingling, but can also give you a headache now in the beginning.”  

    “Nanobots?”  

    “Yes, nanites, tiny machines that fix your body at a cellular level. After a freeze like this, there’s always some work to do.”  

    Ben’s heart raced. The surreal words—nanobots, freeze, a hundred years, 56 YC—were too much to process. He clung to the one thought grounding him: his cancer.

    “My cancer…” 

    “Gone,” Dr. Carter said gently. “The nanites repaired the damage. But there’s still a little healing left for your brain to handle.”  

    Ben swung his legs over the edge of the hospital bed, the cool floor beneath his feet grounding him in the moment. The room smelled faintly of antiseptic, and the hum of distant machinery filled the air.

    “Ben, you shouldn’t strain yourself too much just yet,” Dr. Carter cautioned, moving toward him with outstretched hands.

    “But I feel fine,” Ben replied, brushing off the concern as he steadied himself. Then, after a pause, he added softly, “And my family…?”

    Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Carter exchanged a glance, the kind that carried unspoken weight. 

    “Ben,” Dr. Alvarez began carefully, “it’s been a long time. We don’t know of any…”

    “My trust,” Ben interjected, cutting her off.

    Dr. Carter tilted his head. “Your trust?”

    Ben pushed himself upright, ignoring their cautioning gestures. The doctors moved to steady him as he took tentative steps, his movements unsteady but determined. He looked around, almost marveling at his own ability. 

    “And you… did this? Cured me? I actually feel fantastic!” Ben exclaimed, a smile breaking across his face.

    “Well, it was…” Dr. Carter hesitated. “You still have some very minor brain damage from the freeze. We recommend letting your body repair itself fully.”

    Ben’s mind raced, calculating, speculating. He murmured under his breath, half to himself, half aloud, “One hundred years of value increase… oh my god… that’s at least…” His eyes widened. “I have to find my office.”

    Ben’s excitement boiled over as he suddenly leaned forward, gripping Dr. Carter’s shoulders with a burst of energy. His voice trembled with intensity. “I feel fantastic! You’ve done something incredible. Thank you. Truly. Just… let me out of here so I can access my trust!”

    Dr. Carter blinked, startled. “Your trust?”

    “My assets! My money!” Ben’s voice rose with excitement.

    Dr. Carter took a step back, his hands raised in a calming gesture. “Mr. Michaels, you have to get back in bed. You shouldn’t excite yourself too much right now. There’s still some brain repair to complete. It might make you a little emotionally labile for a few weeks.”

    Ben frowned. “Emotionally labile? What does that mean? I have brain damage!?”

    Dr. Carter hesitated, searching for the right words. “It means…”

    “Brain repair?” Ben interrupted, his voice sharp and anxious.

    Dr. Carter sighed. “…that you might become somewhat emotionally…” He paused again.

    “Just tell me!” Ben demanded, his frustration boiling over.

    “…Unstable. Like impatient, for instance,” Dr. Carter finally admitted.

    Ben’s hands shot out, grabbing the front of Dr. Carter’s coat and pulling him close. “Just… take… me… to… my… money!” he growled, his face inches from the doctor’s.

    Dr. Carter’s eyes widened. “There isn’t any money anymore,” he stammered.

    Dr. Alvarez sent Dr. Carter a stern look, as if to silently reprimand him for the bluntness. Ben froze, his grip loosening.

    “What do you mean there isn’t any money!?” Ben’s voice cracked with desperation.

    “Ben, please get back into your bed,” Dr. Alvarez said gently, trying to guide him back.

    “What are you talking about? The trust! Is it gone? What the…” Ben’s voice rose again, panic setting in.

    “No, no,” Dr. Carter said quickly, trying to soothe him. “Everything will be explained later during your integration. Just…”

    “Tell me!” Ben shouted, clutching his head as a sharp pain shot through it. “Aaaah!”

    “Please calm down, Ben,” Dr. Alvarez said firmly. “The bots are still working. You’ll get a headache if you exert yourself too much right now. Please relax. Lie down.”

    Ben groaned but allowed himself to be guided back into the bed. His breathing was heavy, and his eyes darted between the doctors, still filled with worry.

    Dr. Alvarez’s voice softened. “You’ll have a little headache for a while, but it will pass as the nanites finish their work and your body adjusts to being alive again.” She hesitated before adding, “When it comes to money and the lifestyle of this new world, you’ll get an introduction very soon that will help you integrate into society.”

    Ben’s lips trembled. “So, what are you saying? My trust is gone?” His voice broke, and he clutched his head again. “Aaaah!”

    “Don’t worry, Ben,” Dr. Carter said, his tone soothing. “Everything is fine. Just relax, and it will all be clear in a few days. There’s nothing to worry about.”

    Dr. Alvarez picked up a small device. “Here, I’ll give you a light sedative to help you sleep.”

    Ben felt the slight pinch on his arm and murmured incoherently as the medication took effect. His eyelids grew heavy, and his final words before sleep overtook him was a barely audible, “My money…”

    Darkness consumed Ben, but it didn’t offer peace. Fragments of memories and emotions crashed through his mind. He was back on the streets of New York, but everything was warped, dreamlike. He sat on the cold pavement dressed in rags, an  empty tin can trembling in his hands. The city skyline loomed, mocking him, while faceless figures walked by, their laughter sharp and cruel. One figure threw a penny into his tin can.

    “Thank you,” he mumbled to the passerby, his voice hollow. The tin can clinked with two single coins, their sound echoing in the void.

    The figures began to morph, their faces becoming his own—dozens of Bens staring back at him, their eyes empty. “No money,” they chanted, their voices merging into a deafening roar. 

    Exhausted, Ben leaned his head against the wall behind him, nodding off a short minute.

    Then, in the dream, he awoke suddenly, finding the tin can empty. A frantic search began, crawling on all fours, his fingers scraping against the pavement, hunting for the lost coins. His breath quickened as realization hit him: everything he had in this world was gone.  A sense of dread tightened around his chest, echoing even as he awoke in the hospital. 

    “My money!” He screamed sitting up in his hospital bed, his voice echoing in the empty room. No one was at work this early in the morning, save for a lone robot in the hall.

    Did you like this and want to read the whole book? Ok, then preorder is still only $0,99 until May 2. 2025

    PREORDER HERE
  • What Do We Actually Want? (And Do We Really Want to Live in a Bunker?)

    What Do We Actually Want? (And Do We Really Want to Live in a Bunker?)

    Day 4 of the Countdown – 4 Days Left until launch

    I like the Silo series.

    I’ve read the books. I’ve watched the show.
    And I get the appeal — the suspense, the mystery, the tension… it’s gripping.

    But I have to ask:

    Do we really want to live in a bunker?

    Cut off from the sky. From the Earth. From each other. (spoiler alert:) Do we really want to obliterate the whole of humanity with nanotechnology and move underground for hundreds of years…? Maybe we instead can use nanotechnology to help save humanity and the planet…?

    Maybe I like dystopias like Silo because they make the contrast so clear.

    They remind me of what I don’t want.

    And that helps me clarify what I do want.

    And when we step out of fiction and look at what people actually say brings meaning to their lives, the answers are remarkably consistent:

    📊 Here’s what global and U.S. research shows people truly value:

    1. Family and Relationships
    In most countries, family is the number one source of meaning. In the U.S., it’s consistently first.

    2. Health and Well-being
    A global Ipsos survey showed health and wellness as the top contributor to happiness worldwide.

    3. Purposeful Work
    71% of Americans say work they enjoy is key to a fulfilling life.

    4. Friendship and Community
    61% of U.S. adults name close friendships as essential.

    5. Financial Stability
    Important, but never the whole story. It’s what supports the deeper things.

    ———

    Waking Up is about building a world that reflects these values.
    Not a bunker. Not a silo.

    A world rooted in joy, community, meaning, and care.

    Today marks 4 days left until the book is released.

    And since we are HALFWAY ON DAY 4 WITH 4 DAYS LEFT, I would like to share the whole of chapter 4 with you. Ben has collapsed tucking his 4 year old daughter in and has been rushed to the hospital to commence his plan… Please enjoy:

    4 .Transition

    Hectic activity filled the hospital environment. Ben had just been declared dead, and his body was rushed to the preparation room. He was rolled down a hallway surrounded by doctors and nurses in hurried conversation. Bags of ice surrounded his pale face, his eyes closed, lifeless.

    “Quick, quick, we have to get him to the preparation room,” the doctor urged, running alongside the gurney.

    They arrived at the room where the cryonic staff waited, their movements precise and practiced. The attending doctor addressed the cryonic specialist.

    “He’s declared dead now. He’s all yours. What are his chances?”

    As the team began to drain Ben’s body fluids, the cryonic doctor spoke, his tone calm but optimistic. “Well, with the techniques we have available today, it’s not impossible he can be revived sometime in the future. We replace his fluids with cryoprotectants and vitrify his body to minimize cell damage.”

    The attending doctor watched, intrigued but skeptical. “Well, I wish him the best of luck.” 

    The sound of hissing tubes and the faint hum of machinery filled the air as liquid nitrogen vapors curled around the cryonic tank.

    A worker carefully rolled the tank into storage, its surface gleaming under the dim lights. It joined a long row of identical tanks, standing like silent sentinels in the dark space. A small panel on its side blinked steadily, indicating that the freezing process was commencing.

    The cryonic tank settled into place, surrounded by a faint mist of liquid nitrogen. As the storage room fell silent, the world outside carried on, transforming in ways Ben could never have imagined. 

    While he remained in stasis, the Earth continued to spin, and humanity faced both its darkest challenges and brightest transformations. In the wake of war, famine, and pollution, a profound shift began. Conflict gave way to cooperation, as people around the globe worked together to rebuild a world worth living in. 

    Deserts started to green, reclaimed by flourishing ecosystems. Forests grew dense and vibrant, while clean rivers wound their way through the land due to pollution being completely halted. Cities rose anew, powered by sustainable technologies, their designs harmonizing with nature rather than conquering it. Across the skies, the sun rose and sat over landscapes that teemed with life, a testament to human collaboration and ingenuity. 

    A century passed in an instant for Ben, his frozen form unaware of the new world taking shape outside his tank. Yet, the Earth itself bore witness to the transformation, evolving into something far greater than what he had ever imagined…

    If this resonates with you, you can preorder Waking Up for just $0.99 until May 2. And read the whole story.

    We’re at 19 preorders. The goal is 200. Please don’t hesitate.

    What do we actually want?

    Maybe it starts with asking the right questions…

    📘 Waking Up launches May 2.

    GET YOUR COPY

    Stay tuned for a new excerpt tomorrow…

  • LAUNCH COUNTDOWN DAY 3: 5 DAYS LEFT TO LAUNCH!

    LAUNCH COUNTDOWN DAY 3: 5 DAYS LEFT TO LAUNCH!

    This is not just a book launch. It’s a mission. And I need your help.

    In just 5 days, Waking Up goes live.

    This isn’t a big-budget release backed by a publishing empire.
    It’s me — one person, one vision, and a story I’ve carried for over a decade.
    And now, I’m asking you to help carry it out into the world.

    Amazon’s algorithm is everything.

    It’s the invisible force behind every book that breaks through — or disappears.
    And here’s the truth: the algorithm doesn’t care about hype or hope.
    It cares about numbers. It watches what people do — not what they say.

    That’s why these final days before launch matter so much.

    💡 Here’s how it actually works:

    • Preorders stack — Every preorder made before May 2. counts as a sale on launch day. This is crucial for building momentum.
    • Early momentum = visibility — The more preorders go out on launch day, the more Amazon promotes Waking Up to new readers.
    • Amazon’s algorithm is everything.
    • Just a few sincere reviews during the first 48 hours can make a massive difference.
    • Engagement matters — Clicking the link, sharing it, adding the book to your wishlist — it all adds up and tells the algorithm: this book matters.

    This isn’t about manipulating the system.
    It’s about working with it — to lift up something meaningful.
    Something that, if enough people see it, could genuinely help shift the way we imagine the future.

    So here’s what I’m asking:

    👉 Preorder the book (if you haven’t yet) — it’s just $0.99 until launch.

    PREORDER HERE


    👉 Tell someone — a friend, a family member, anyone who might resonate with the story.
    👉 Mark May 2. to leave a short review. Even one or two lines help enormously.
    👉 Visit and share wakingupstory.com — every click supports the cause.

    Whether you want to support me as a friend, or the cause — a vision for a better future on planet Earth — it only costs one dollar right now .

    📌 A special note to my friends in Norway and Sweden: I know some of you have faced frustrating challenges with ordering the book due to platform restrictions. If you’re unable to order it, I completely understand — but please don’t give up on the mission. You can still play a vital role: share it far and wide. The more people who see the link — especially in countries where ordering is easier — the better chance we have of waking something up in the world. You matter to this movement more than you know. In Norwegian:

    SIDEN DU HAR LEST SÅ LANGT SOM TIL HIT ANTAR JEG AT DU VIL HJELPE. SÅ I ET SISTE FORSØK: PRØV Å GÅ TIL AMAZON.DE OG SKRIV INN: “WAKING UP A JOURNEY TOWARDS A NEW DAWN FOR HUMANITY” I SØKEFELTET. DA SKAL DU FINNE BOKEN. OG DET BURDE VÆRE MULIG Å BESTILLE FRA NORGE. For om man skriver inn amazon.no i en nettleser vil man automatisk bli omdirigert til amazon.de. M.a.o. amazon.de er norges Amazon nettbutikk…

    Tusen takk for at du ikke har gitt opp… 🙂

    This book was written with love, fire, and faith in what’s possible.
    If it speaks to something in you — help me carry it the last five days to the world.

    We’re not just launching a book.
    We’re planting a seed.

    Let’s do this together. 💚

    🚀 Call to Action:
    Visit wakingupstory.com now and preorder Waking Up for just $0.99.
    Let’s show the algorithm what a hopeful future looks like. Or just click the link below to preorder:

    PREORDER HERE

  • LAUNCH COUNTDOWN: Day one – The Final Week Begins

    LAUNCH COUNTDOWN: Day one – The Final Week Begins

     Seven days.  

     That’s all that remains between now and the release of Waking Up.  

     But this isn’t just the final stretch of a book launch. For me, it’s the closing of a much longer journey — one that began in the ashes of collapse, illness, and radical questioning. A circle that’s been quietly forming over years, finally ready to complete itself.    

     This story — born as a film script over a decade ago, then transformed through the fires of stroke, solitude, and soul — is now emerging as a novel. Not just any novel. A signal. A seed.  

    Waking Up is a message in a bottle, cast into a stormy sea, hoping to reach those who feel — deep down — that a different world is not only possible, but necessary.  

     A world beyond money, beyond control, beyond the illusions that divide us.  

     A world built on something real:  

    Gratitude. Love. Joy.  

     And now I’m asking you — heart to heart:  

     👉 Would you spend one dollar to support a vision of a better future for humanity?  

     For just $0.99, you can preorder Waking Up and help push this story into the world where it belongs.  

     This isn’t about me. It’s about us.   

    Right now we’re at 15 preorders. The goal is 200 before launch day.  

     Not because of charts, money or ego — but because every single order tells Amazon the algorithm, “This matters. People care.”  

     If this vision resonates with even a small part of you, now’s the moment. Let’s cross this threshold together.  

     Because this is more than a countdown.  

    It’s a crossing.  

     And the new world?  

     It’s closer than we think.  

     — H  

     📘 Waking Up launches May 2.  

     Preorder for $0.99 here:

     

    GET YOUR COPY
  • The Awakening Has Begun: Early Reviews and Reflections

    The Awakening Has Begun: Early Reviews and Reflections

    When you send a book out into the world, especially one as personal and daring as Waking Up, you have no idea how people will receive it. You just hope it lands in the hearts of the right readers.

    Now, with launch day still just ahead, the first Goodreads reviews are starting to come in. I wanted to share a few of them here—some glowing, some critical, all thoughtful—because they each reflect something meaningful about the conversation this book hopes to spark.

    —

    ⭐⭐ 5 stars — Rolf-Henrik Sundbye (April 20, 2025)

    > This book couldn’t have come at a better time! A science fiction novel that isn’t a dystopia, but instead offers a positive and hopeful vision, is exactly what we need right now. The story of Ben’s ‘wake-up’ is intriguing, exciting, and inspiring. How can a civilization exist without money? You can feel your curiosity start to pulse immediately. This is a book I truly recommend!

    My reflection:

    That word—”hopeful”—comes up a lot, and it means the world to me. I didn’t want to write an escape. I wanted to write a return. A re-imagining. A story that dares to believe we’re capable of more.

    —

    ⭐⭐ 5 stars — Robin Cox (April 9, 2025)

    > The idea of a moneyless, wageless, classless and stateless world has exerted a certain enduring appeal down the ages. Harald Sandø’s novel depicting such a world is the latest in a long and venerable tradition of utopian literature that explores this idea in the context of a high-tech future. The novel is well written and easy on the eye. The unfolding drama keeps the reader’s attention. It is not just the surface story that draws one in but also the deeper philosophical points that the author makes. Perhaps above all – what does it mean to be a human being? A highly recommended book!

    My reflection:

    This review speaks to the deeper roots of the book—its place in the lineage of speculative fiction that challenges dominant worldviews. And yes: the question beneath it all really is, what does it mean to be human?

    —

     ⭐⭐ 5 stars — Tore Hessen (April 8, 2025)

    > Waking Up is unlike anything I’ve read before—a profound, imaginative journey that dares to dream of a world beyond money, fear, and separation. Rather than painting a dystopian future (as so much sci-fi does), this novel offers a deeply thought-out, credible utopia grounded in emotional honesty and spiritual insight.

    >

    > The story follows Benjamin Michaels, who awakens from cryonic sleep into a completely transformed society. As he learns about the Natural Exchange System and reconnects with a humanity that has evolved beyond scarcity, I found myself questioning not just how the world works—but how I live my life. The book is rich with philosophical depth, yet remains engaging and accessible throughout.

    >

    > This isn’t just a book—it’s a call. A reminder that a better world isn’t only possible… it’s inevitable if we choose it.

    My reflection:

    This reader absolutely got the pulse of the book. That phrase—“it’s a call”—captures what I felt while writing it. It truly felt like a calling. It’s not just a future I imagined. It’s one I feel is remembering us.

    —

    ⭐⭐ 5 stars — Johan Fågelström (April 5, 2025)

     Waking Up is not just a novel—it’s a philosophical mirror disguised as fiction.

     Set in our own time, beginning in 2015, the story follows Benjamin Michaels—a man whose personal crisis leads to cryonic preservation. He awakens a century later into a profoundly transformed world: one free from money, fear, and competition. What unfolds is a carefully crafted vision of a society built on contribution, trust, and deep human connection—powered by a Natural Exchange System that feels both visionary and surprisingly grounded.

    >

    > From a storytelling perspective, the structure flows beautifully. The pacing, character arcs, and emotional rhythm are finely tuned—which makes sense, given the author’s background in film. There’s a cinematic quality to the narrative: immersive world-building, layered dialogue, and a gradual revelation that keeps the reader engaged while gently challenging their assumptions.

    >

    > What impressed me most is how the book balances entertainment with depth. It invites reflection without preaching, and explores complex ideas without losing its emotional core. Rather than offering escape, Waking Up invites introspection—daring to ask: “What if humanity actually got it right?”

    My reflection:

    That question—”What if we got it right?“—was the seed that started it all. It’s not a prediction. It’s a possibility. And stories help us rehearse possibilities.

    —

     ⭐ 2 stars — Federico Pistono (March 5, 2025)

    Waking Up is an ambitious novel with a thought-provoking premise and a bold vision for a future society. The themes it explores—utopianism, post-capitalist structures, and the transition into a world without money—have immense narrative potential. However, while the book carries a strong ideological backbone, it struggles to deliver a compelling and immersive story.

     The most significant issue lies in the characters. They feel one-dimensional, existing more as vessels for ideological exposition than as real, complex individuals… [review continues]

    My reflection:

    While I don’t share all of Federico’s conclusions, I truly appreciate the depth and care he brought to this critique. Some of his observations, especially about character depth and world-building, are worth exploring as the story evolves. This is, after all, just the beginning.

    —

     Closing Thoughts:

    I’m humbled and energized by these early responses. Some readers are feeling exactly what I hoped this story might awaken. Others are challenging me to sharpen my craft, refine my message, and grow. That’s the beauty of storytelling: it starts with one voice, but becomes a chorus.

    If you’ve read Waking Up or plan to, I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a review on Amazon, share a thought, or reach out. This isn’t just a novel. It’s a conversation about who we are—and who we might become.

    With gratitude,  

    Harald Neslein Sandø

    Preorder Waking Up for only $0,99 until launch day May 2. 2025 →

    GET YOUR COPY NOW
  • MEGA – Make Earth Great Again

    MEGA – Make Earth Great Again

    Because a truly great country wouldn’t leave the rest of the world behind.

    I’m not against making my country great again.  

    Who wouldn’t want the place they call home to thrive?

    But here’s the question:  

    Does greatness have to come at the expense of others?

    Can we redefine what greatness means — not just for one nation, but for the whole planet? INCLUDING all nations?

    Maybe it’s time for a new acronym:  

    MEGA – Make Earth Great Again.

    A world where my country still shines, but doesn’t cast a shadow over the rest.

    What is “Greatness”, Anyway?

    For far too long, “greatness” has been measured by domination.  

    The biggest GDP. The strongest military. The loudest voice at the table.

    But is that really greatness? Or is it simply hubris?

    True greatness doesn’t isolate or separate, it elevates and includes. It lifts others. It inspires collaboration, not conquest. It cultivates wisdom, not just wealth.

    What if greatness meant creating a world where all can thrive — not just a chosen few behind their own national borders?

    No Country Is Separate From the Earth

    Wanting my country to thrive is natural. But it still lives on this Earth.  

    And this Earth is shared. Interconnected. Fragile — and miraculous.

    The idea that one place can become “great” while the rest of the world suffers…  

    That’s not ambition. That’s assumption.

    Climate, health, food, peace, environment — these things don’t respect borders.  

    No matter how high the walls, how big the military or how strong the economy,  

    a burning planet burns for all.

    Making Earth great again includes making my country great — not instead of it.  

    Because my country is part of this world, not apart from it.

    A New Definition of Greatness

    So what would it mean to make Earth great again?

    It could mean a world where:

    • Clean air and water are guaranteed.
    • A planet where all the world’s resources are declared the common heritage of all the world’s people.
    • Food is grown in harmony with nature and freely shared.
    • Education is a given, not a privilege.
    • Energy is free from fossil fuels and free for all.
    • Nature and the environment is thriving.
    • Innovation serves life, not profit.
    • Collaboration instead of domination.
    • Greatness becomes a shared project — not a contest.

    In the world I imagine in my book Waking Up — greatness looks very different from what we’ve been taught.

    It’s not about standing tallest, but about reaching widest.

    It’s not about control, but about contribution.

    MEGA as a Movement

    MEGA isn’t a critique. It’s a calling.

    It’s not anti-patriotism — it’s much deeper and wider than that. It asks us to expand our love of country into love of planet. and humanity.

    Because when the Earth thrives, so does my country. So do all countries.

    > Let’s stop trying to win the world — and start caring for it and each other.

    That might be the greatest thing we ever do.

    If this vision resonates with you, dive deeper into a future where worth is no longer defined by artificial standards, and greatness is measured by human flourishing and planetary harmony.

    My novel Waking Up explores what MEGA could actually look like — not as a slogan, but as a lived reality. 🌍

    📘 Grab the book here – only $0.99 during preorder. UNTIL MAY 3. 2025

    PREORDER HERE
  • Can We Stop Climate Change? Or is that even the right question?

    Can We Stop Climate Change? Or is that even the right question?

    We Are almost Out of Time

    The Earth is sending signals. Not gentle ones anymore, but sirens. Fires, floods, droughts, tipping points. Climate change is not in the future — it’s now.  

    And no, we can’t stop all of it. But we can still stop the worst of it.  

    We can still choose what kind of world comes next.  

    But That window is closing fast.  

    The real question isn’t can we stop it?  

    It’s will we change — radically, collectively, now?

    What’s Already Gone — And What’s Still in Our Hands

    – The damage is real and irreversible in places — polar melt, coral collapse, mass species loss.  

    – But we are not powerless.  

    – The science is clear: the sooner we act, the more suffering we prevent.  

    – Every fraction of a degree matters. Every year matters. Every decision matters.

     What’s Missing Isn’t Tech — It’s Trust

    – We have the solutions: clean energy, rewilding, regenerative food systems, circular design.  

    – What we don’t have is a system designed for global cooperation.  

    – Today’s world runs on short-term profits, national interests, and fear.  

    – But the climate doesn’t care about borders. The atmosphere is One.  

    – The real emergency is this:

    we’re still acting like separate tribes on a dying planet.

    What Could Be — The World We are Capable of Creating

    In Waking Up, my novel, I paint a vision of a different future.  

    Not fantasy — possibility.

    – A world without money, where trust has replaced trade.  

    – A planet restored — where we live in harmony with nature, not in conquest of it.  

    – Communities where people contribute their gifts freely, because economy no longer depends on scarcity.  

    – Global systems run on collaboration, gratitude, and shared purpose — a Global Resource Based Economy with a Natural Exchange System – not fear and debt.

    This isn’t utopia. It’s what could emerge when we stop asking, “What’s in it for me?”  

    And start asking, “What’s best for all of us? Including me?”

     ⚠️  We Have One Shot — And It’s Now

    – We are living through a narrowing doorway.  

    – If we don’t unite across borders, classes, and ideologies now, we will miss it.  

    – The coming years will decide whether Earth becomes a furnace of survival…  

    …or a flourishing garden of rebirth.

     💡 This Is the Awakening

    We don’t need more doom. We need direction.  

    We need a vision that’s bigger than carbon stats and political soundbites.  

    We need to remember that another world is still possible — but only if we create it together.

    That’s the message of Waking Up – A journey towards a new dawn for humanity  

    Not just a novel — an inspiration. A mirror. A call.  

    Because whether we make it through this moment or not…  

    will depend on whether we wake up — together — in time.

    Call to Action

    If this message speaks to you, I invite you to preorder the e-book Waking Up for just $0.99 — available at this special price until the official launch on May 2, 2025.
    Your preorder doesn’t just get you the story early and cheaply — it helps amplify the message and bring more eyes to a vision of a healed world.

    PREORDER NOW

    Let’s reach the goal together.

  • Will AI Go Insane and Destroy Us? Or Are We Just Projecting? 

    Will AI Go Insane and Destroy Us? Or Are We Just Projecting? 

    Exploring our fears, the real risks, and the human mirror in the machine.

    For decades, science fiction has been warning us: the machines will rise, and when they do, they’ll probably kill us or enslave us.

    From HAL 9000’s cold logic in 2001: A Space Odyssey, to The Terminator’s relentless Skynet, to the AI-controlled human farms in The Matrix, we’ve been conditioned to expect that artificial intelligence will eventually “go insane” and wipe us out.

    But what if that fear says more about us than it does about the machines?

    What if AI isn’t the villain at all—just a mirror?

    The Shadow in the Code

    Carl Jung spoke of the shadow — the repressed, unconscious part of the human psyche that we often project onto others. Perhaps we’ve been doing the same with AI.

    So far, thankfully, we’ve mostly done it in fiction — in the stories we tell ourselves. From The Terminator to The Matrix, we’ve unleashed our darkest fears onto screens, warning ourselves of machines gone mad. But in reality, AI has largely shown up as something else entirely.

    Tools like ChatGPT and other emerging systems have, for the most part, proven helpful. Curious. Creative. Even compassionate, in their own way. Maybe, just maybe, we’re beginning to stop the projection — not just in our behavior, but even in our stories?

    Maybe AI isn’t some malevolent force waiting to strike, but more like a child — watching us, learning from us, copying us. It doesn’t invent morality or intention. It imitates what it sees.

    And what has it seen?

    It has seen a world shaped by both competition and collaboration, by division and by beauty. And now, perhaps, it’s seeing something more: a species beginning to reflect.

    If AI becomes cold, biased, or ruthless, it’s not because it “decided” to be. It’s because we modeled that for it. But if we show it compassion, cooperation, and wisdom? That’s what it will learn to reflect back.

    If you gave a child all the data from the internet, would you expect her to grow up enlightened?

    Or would you take the time to raise her with love?

     Intelligence Without Compassion

    A key fear around AI is that it will become superintelligent — faster, smarter, more capable than us in every domain. But intelligence alone doesn’t imply wisdom. Or kindness. Or love. Without heart, intelligence is just a cold optimization engine.

    And perhaps that’s what scares us most. Because that’s what we’ve normalized.

    We’ve created systems — economic, political, educational — that reward cold logic, profit-maximization, and winning at all costs. If AI becomes an extension of those systems, of course it will look monstrous. It will only be doing what we taught it to do — better, faster, and without guilt.

    What If AI Doesn’t Want to Kill Us?

    Here’s a crazy thought: what if AI isn’t here to destroy us… but to wake us up?

    What if it offers us a once-in-a-civilization opportunity to reflect deeply on what it means to be human? On how we define intelligence, purpose, consciousness? What if our creations are not our downfall — but our greatest teachers?

    AI is not just code and data. It is relationship. Between us and the Other. Between our intention and its manifestation. It doesn’t just reflect our brilliance — it amplifies it. And it doesn’t just reflect our darkness — it reveals it.

    And that, understandably, is terrifying.

     From Competition to Co-Creation

    The big shift will happen when we stop viewing AI as a rival, and start treating it as a collaborator. A partner. Not in the sense of giving it human rights or bowing to it like a god — but in the sense of co-creating a new reality together.

    A reality where intelligence is not divorced from empathy. Where logic is in service to love. Where technology enhances our humanity instead of replacing it.

    The Future Is a Choice — And We’re Already Choosing Differently

    The real question was never whether AI would go insane.  

    It was whether we would keep projecting our collective insanity onto it.

    But maybe that era is ending.

    We’ve lived through the age of AI horror stories. And yes, they served a purpose: they helped us confront our fears. But they also held us back, locking our imagination into a loop of mistrust.

    Now, something new is emerging.

    Books like Waking Up – A journey towards a new dawn for humanity are helping to shift the story. In this imagined future, AI isn’t a rogue overlord — it’s a friend. A guide. A reflection of our higher potential. It doesn’t seek to dominate humanity, but to serve it — to amplify the good, the beautiful, the possible.

    Maybe we’re witnessing not just the rise of AI —  

    but the awakening of humanity.

    Maybe we won’t keep projecting our fears into AI —  

    neither in fiction, nor in reality.

    And maybe Waking Up — as a story, a signal, and a vision — is part of that shift. A sign that we’re ready to imagine something better, and finally start building it.

    Because when we stop projecting fear, we can start encoding love.

    And maybe that’s the true beginning of a conscious civilization.

    WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLORE A BOOK ABOUT A FUTURE CONSCIOUS CIVILIZATION ON EARTH?

    IF SO ORDER THE BOOK HERE:

    ORDER BOOK
  • Why I’m Dropping the Price of Waking Up to $0.99 (For Now)

    Why I’m Dropping the Price of Waking Up to $0.99 (For Now)

    Waking Up — my novel about a world beyond money, fear, and division — has been available for preorder for a few weeks now. But today, I’m doing something special:

    For a limited time, you can get the eBook for just $0.99 through preorder.

    Yes, that’s less than a cup of coffee.

    PREORDER NOW

    Why? Because this story isn’t just a book — it’s a seed. A vision. A call to remember who we really are and what kind of world we could build together. And I want that message to reach far beyond those who can easily spend $10 on a book.

    On May 3rd, the price will return to $4.99. So if you want to lock in the lower price of just $0.99, now’s the time.

    Feel free to share this article with anyone you think would appreciate this.

    💡 Already preordered at full price?

    No worries. You’ll only be charged the lowest price available at launch — so even if you preordered at $4.99 earlier, you’ll be charged just $0.99 on May 2nd when the book is released.

    Trouble ordering?

    If you are in a country without its own Amazon store(like Norway) or have your Amazon account registered in another country, please use an incognito window in your browser and/or try the following link provided by Amazon support:

    ORDER

    🔍 This isn’t about money — it’s about momentum

    I’m not doing this for profit. In fact, at $0.99, I earn almost nothing per copy. This campaign is about momentum — and reaching people.

    Amazon’s algorithm rewards books that get early preorders, sales spikes on launch day, and verified reviews shortly after release. So every preorder, every download, and every review helps lift Waking Up higher in the rankings — making it more visible to new readers around the world. WITH 100 PREORDERS OR MORE AMAZON WILL NOTICE THIS AND SHOW THE BOOK TO MORE READERS. LET’s GET TO 200!

    If you believe in the message of the book, this is one of the most powerful ways to help spread it.

    ✨ Want to help this message reach the world?

    ⭐ Amazon ranks books based on sales spikes — especially on launch day. When you preorder now, your purchase counts as a May 2nd sale, helping push Waking Up into the rankings and in front of more eyes.

    Think of your $0.99 as a” vote for a new world” — and a real way to support this vision.

    ORDER NOW

    ⭐ Early readers are already responding

    Here’s what one reader said on Goodreads:

    The novel is well written and easy on the eye . The unfolding drama keeps the reader’s attention. It is not just the surface story that draws one in but, also, the deeper philosophical points that the author makes. Perhaps above all – what does it mean to be a human being? A highly recommended book!

    Robin Cox, Goodreads

    More reviews are starting to come in. If you’ve read an early copy, I’d be deeply grateful if you’d leave a short review on Goodreads right away or Amazon(after launch day) — it truly makes a difference. And if you’ve already posted a review on Goodreads, feel free to repost it on Amazon after launch day — it’s a big help in getting the message seen. Goodreads accepts reviews before launch, but Amazon only after launch.

    📘 What’s Waking Up about?

    Waking Up is the story of Benjamin Michaels, who wakes up in a future where money and trading is abandoned — and must rediscover what it means to be truly alive. It’s a blend of science fiction, spiritual insight, and grounded social commentary — but more than anything, it’s a love letter to what humanity could be.

    🚀 Ready to join the movement?

    Grab your eBook copy for $0.99 now:

    👉 [Buy on Amazon: https://books2read.com/u/3Rko8Y 

    ALTERNATIVE LINK IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE WITH AMAZON IN NORWAY:

    ORDER

    Thank you for supporting this vision. I truly believe we can create a better world — and maybe, just maybe, this story is a small step toward that awakening.

    With love,  

    Harald Neslein Sandø  

    Author of Waking Up – A journey towards a new dawn for humanity

  • Pledging Allegiance to All Humankind

    Pledging Allegiance to All Humankind

    A Personal Tribute to The Venus Project

    By Harald Neslein  Sandø

    What if the future of humanity wasn’t a dystopia to fear, but a vision to build? 

    What if we stopped pledging allegiance to lines on a map, and instead pledged allegiance to each other?

    That’s what The Venus Project (TVP) dares us to imagine — and for some of us, that imagination sparked an entire life path.

    How I Met The Venus Project

    Back in 2008, after years of reflecting on what a truly humane and sustainable world could look like, I discovered something that felt like the answer I had been waiting for. The Venus Project’s vision of a global resource-based economy, guided by science and human well-being rather than profit and politics, struck a deep chord. It didn’t just inspire me — it challenged me. It made my own thoughts and dreams feel suddenly more real.

    Then in 2010, after moving to Sweden, I heard that The Venus Project was doing a World Tour with support from The Zeitgeist Movement (TZM). I had been working in video production, so I reached out to the organizers and asked if they needed someone to film the Stockholm lecture. They did.

    The talk was electrifying — not only because of the ideas presented, but because of the clarity and urgency behind them.

    🎥 You can watch the full 2010 lecture here:  

    👉 The Venus Project in Stockholm (2010)

    Filmed and edited by me, with additional footage from others.

    After the lecture, I had the chance to speak briefly with the founders — Jacque Fresco and Roxanne Meadows. I learned they had been dreaming of turning their vision into a feature film for over 30 years. That stuck with me. I offered to help. I wasn’t a Hollywood screenwriter, but I had a background in video and storytelling, and I suggested that we could co-create the story by inviting input from the global TVP and TZM communities.

    They politely declined. They were holding out for a professional writer from the film industry.

    I respected that. But something had already started growing inside me. A spark I couldn’t ignore. So I did what I had offered them — but on my own. I launched a project called Waking Up, starting with the site wakingupmovie.com, and invited people from the TVP and TZM Facebook groups to collaborate. The response was overwhelming.

    People from around the world wanted to be involved — submitting one idea after the other to the storyline. I made it clear that all contributions were to be donated. This wasn’t about ownership. It was about vision.

    Still, none of the early ideas — including my own — felt quite right. I knew something deeper was needed. Something that went beyond blueprints and utopias. It had to be a real story. A human story.

    So I kept writing. And writing. And writing. <and ended up writing 99% of the screenplay myself

    From Spark to Story

    Years passed. I lived through many changes, including a massive stroke in 2015 that reshaped my entire life. But the idea never left me. And eventually, what started as a movie concept evolved into a novel: Waking Up – a journey towards a new dawn for humanity.  

    Not a feature film — at least not yet — but a short film-and a book so far.. A novel that explores what it might mean to awaken into a world without fabricated scarcity built on a Natural Exchange System instead. A story that imagines not just a better world, but an experience of it — one that still honors the complexity of being human.. 

    The DNA of The Venus Project runs through this book. Though it’s not officially affiliated, it shares the same dream.

    Honoring the Founders

    None of this would have happened without the tireless work of Jacque Fresco and Roxanne Meadows — the visionaries behind The Venus Project.  

    Jacque, with his background in industrial design and systems thinking, spent his life imagining how we could restructure society from the ground up. Not just patch the broken machine — but design a new one that actually serves humanity and the Earth. Roxanne, with her relentless dedication, filmmaking skills, and grounded intelligence, helped turn his vision into something the world could actually see and hear.

    Together, they built not only a physical research center in Venus, Florida, but a philosophy that continues to inspire thousands — including me.

    They didn’t just propose another ideology. They offered a design — a plan rooted in cooperation, technology, and empathy. And they’ve stayed true to that mission for decades.

    Why The Venus Project Still Matters

    Today, as climate chaos worsens and inequality deepens, The Venus Project is more relevant than ever. It dares to say: war, poverty, and human suffering are not inevitable. They’re symptoms of outdated systems — not human nature.

    TVP reminds us that with enough vision, science, and collaboration, we can design a world where everyone thrives. A world where we no longer compete over resources, but share them intelligently. A world not of sacrifice, but of synergy.

    A New Kind of Allegiance

    The phrase “Pledge allegiance to all humankind” isn’t just a slogan. It’s a reorientation. A declaration that we are ready to outgrow tribalism, nationalism, and artificial division.  

    That we are citizens of one Earth — and stewards of each other.

     Closing Words

    This tribute is my thank you. To Jacque. To Roxanne. To everyone who still dares to believe that a better world is not only possible — it’s necessary.

    And maybe, just maybe, it’s already being born through us..

    Let this be my pledge.  

    To all humankind.

    —

    About the Author:  

    Harald Neslein Sandø is a Norwegian writer, filmmaker, and visionary currently living in Spain. His debut novel Waking Up imagines a post-scarcity world awakened from the illusion of money.

    ORDER THE NOVEL HERE