Tag: environment

  • How to Feed 10 Billion — Sustainably

    How to Feed 10 Billion — Sustainably

    A Post-Scarcity Diet for a Post-Scarcity World

    🌾In my previous article, I showed that we already produce more than enough food to feed every person on this planet — many times over. But today’s food production is not sustainable. Quite the contrary, it is ruining the planet in countless ways.
    So the question is:


    Can we do it sustainably?

    Is it even possible to feed 10 billion people without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, monocultures, and topsoil destruction?

    The short answer? Yes. 

    But not with business as usual.

    Feeding 10 Billion Without Destroying the Earth

    In my previous article, I revealed the staggering fact: humanity already produces the equivalent of 43 kilos of food per person, per day, every year. That’s not a typo — it’s the absurd reality of our current food system.

    So why does hunger still exist? Why is food waste so rampant? And why is our soil dying?

    Because — let’s be honest — the system isn’t broken.


    It’s working exactly as designed.

    This global machine doesn’t exist to feed people.
    It exists to generate profit — for a handful of corporations and investors.
    And in that mission, it’s ruthlessly effective: producing massive surpluses, discarding what can’t be sold, and pumping land and labor for maximum short-term gain.

    In the process, it leaves behind exhausted topsoil, poisoned waterways, collapsing ecosystems — and wastes over 90% of the food it produces, once you account for animal feed, biofuels, processing losses, and throwaway culture.

    So here’s the real question:

    Can we produce enough food for everyone — not just in quantity, but sustainably, ethically, healthy and wisely?

    Because what we’re doing now isn’t just unsustainable — it’s suicidal.

    Industrial Farming: Abundance at Any Cost

    The modern food system is a marvel of scale and logistics — but it comes at a brutal cost:

    • Monoculture farming depletes topsoil faster than nature can regenerate it.
    • Chemical fertilizers and pesticides pollute rivers, kill pollinators, and destroy biodiversity.
    • Factory farming of animals not only raises ethical concerns but uses massive amounts of grain, water, and antibiotics.
    • The entire chain is extremely energy-intensive, with long supply lines and high emissions.

    We’re not just growing food — we’re extracting it like oil.
    And just like fossil fuels, this approach is running out of road.

    Do We Even Need to Grow This Much?

    If over 90% of what we grow isn’t eaten by humans, we have to ask:

    Do we really need to produce this much food at all?

    Much of the excess isn’t food in any meaningful sense — it’s surplus calories for livestock, inputs for processed foods, or filler for fuel tanks.
    And what is intended for direct consumption? A huge chunk is discarded for not being “pretty” enough, lost to the inefficiencies of global distribution, or deliberately destroyed to manipulate market prices and preserve profit margins. Perfectly edible food is routinely thrown away or even burned to maintain artificial scarcity in a system obsessed with supply and demand. And what’s discarded isn’t even composted, it’s simply wasted.

    Hunger, then, isn’t about scarcity — it’s about distribution, profit, and priorities.

    So How Do We Feed Everyone — Sustainably?

    Let’s start by letting go of the lie: that we have to choose between feeding everyone and saving the planet.

    We don’t. That’s a false dilemma — born from an industrial system designed for profit, not nourishment.

    Sustainable abundance is not only possible — it’s already being practiced in countless ways around the world. The key isn’t one magic method. It’s diversity, adaptability, and respect for natural systems.

    Here are just a few of the promising paths forward:

    🌱 Regenerative Agriculture

    This method rebuilds topsoil, stores carbon, increases water retention, and fosters biodiversity — all while producing healthy food.

    Instead of fighting nature with chemicals, regenerative farming works with nature, using techniques like:

    • Cover cropping
    • No-till planting
    • Crop rotation
    • Integrating livestock into healthy cycles

    It’s already proving effective — from smallholder farms in India to large-scale ranches in the U.S.

    🐓 Permaculture

    Permaculture goes further than “organic.” It designs entire systems that mimic nature, turning waste into nourishment and chaos into balance.

    Imagine food forests, edible landscapes, and community gardens where everything has a role — and nothing goes to waste.

    Permaculture shines especially in local, low-energy systems where self-sufficiency and community cooperation are key.

    💧 Hydroponics and Aquaponics

    In urban areas or regions with poor soil — especially while we work to regenerate it — hydroponic (water-based) and aquaponic (fish-integrated) systems offer a revolutionary solution.

    They use 90% less water, can be stacked vertically, and grow food year-round — right where people live. No soil, no pesticides, and zero transport emissions.

    It’s not a fringe idea anymore — cities like Singapore are investing heavily in these methods as part of their food security strategy.

    🖦 Localized and Decentralized Systems

    The more food is grown closer to where it’s eaten, the less waste, energy, and spoilage we face.

    Community-supported agriculture (CSA), farmers’ markets, co-ops, rooftop gardens, and microfarms all contribute to a resilient food web — one that can weather shocks and adapt quickly to change.

    We don’t need global supply chains to ship tomatoes halfway around the globe in January. We need local abundance with global cooperation.

    We Don’t Need to Grow More. We Need to Grow Smarter.

    Together, these methods don’t just promise sustainability — they deliver regeneration. Not only do they avoid harm, they actively repair the damage industrial farming has caused.

    And no — we don’t need 43 kilos per person per day. We need enough — grown with care, intelligence, and integrity.

    This isn’t a utopian fantasy. It’s already being done.
    What we need is the will to scale it, support it, and shift our collective values from extraction to care, from profit to nourishment.

    What About Protein?

    Ah yes—the question everyone asks. In any discussion about food, especially in a future without industrial agriculture or meat factories, protein inevitably comes up. So, let’s tackle it head-on.

    In the sustainable, post-scarcity world envisioned in Waking Up, protein isn’t a problem—it’s an opportunity. Freed from the constraints of profit-driven monocultures and factory farming, we gain the freedom to explore protein sources that are ethical, efficient, and incredibly abundant.

    Plant-Based Proteins: The Source of It All

    Let’s start with a simple truth: all protein originates from plants. Plants produce amino acids—the building blocks of protein—directly from sunlight, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and minerals. When animals eat plants, they build those amino acids into muscle. Then, when humans eat the animal, we break those proteins down back into amino acids—only to rebuild them again for our own bodies.

    It’s a long, inefficient detour.

    So why not go straight to the source?

    Lentils, beans, chickpeas, and peas are protein powerhouses, rich in essential nutrients and even capable of enriching the soil they grow in. Soybeans, quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat offer complete protein profiles without the environmental baggage. In a post-scarcity society, it’s not about sacrifice—it’s about efficiency and clarity.

    Algae and Microbial Marvels

    Algae like spirulina and chlorella can yield more protein per square meter than almost any traditional crop, while requiring very little water. And cutting-edge solutions like Solein—a microbial protein made from air, water, and renewable electricity—are already scaling up to feed the world using almost no land at all.

    Mushrooms and Mycoprotein

    Mycoprotein, derived from fungi, is already being served in millions of meals worldwide. It’s high in protein, low in impact, and surprisingly satisfying. Mushrooms, too, provide valuable protein and grow on organic waste in shaded areas—making them perfect for small-scale local food loops.

    Aquaponics and Ethical Aquaculture

    Where people still desire fish, aquaponic systems offer a closed-loop solution that produces both fish and vegetables in symbiosis. It’s sustainable, clean, and scalable. But even here, the fish still get their nutrients from plants.

    Insects?

    Insect protein is incredibly efficient and nutritious—though cultural resistance remains. Still, it’s an option on the menu for those who are ready for it.

    In short: Protein is not scarce—it’s simply misunderstood. Once we understand where it really comes from, the entire idea of needing animals to get it starts to crumble. In a world designed around balance, health, and cooperation, our protein future looks not only bright—but abundantly green.

    What about meat?

    In a society truly free from manipulation — no advertising, no industry pressure, no cultural guilt or reward systems — the question of eating meat becomes something else entirely.

    What do people choose when they are guided not by profit or propaganda, but by clarity, empathy, and awareness?

    Surprisingly, we already have glimpses. When people are exposed to the realities of animal farming — the suffering, the inefficiency, the ecological cost — many reduce or eliminate meat. When given a chance to try a plant-based diet in an open, supportive way, a large number feel better and don’t go back.

    In the world of Waking Up, where nutrition is understood, compassion is honored, and environmental awareness is second nature, food choices shift naturally. Meat becomes less of a staple, and more of a conscious option — perhaps enjoyed occasionally, perhaps not at all.

    Some may still desire the taste or tradition of meat. That’s where cultured meat or regeneratively raised animals can provide an ethical alternative. But the need? The daily dependence? That fades.

    Because when we’re no longer trapped in the machinery of marketing and habit, our natural intelligence rises. And with it, many of us may discover: We never really needed meat to begin with.

    A New Story of Food

    What if food wasn’t a battleground between scarcity and greed — but a symbol of a world made whole?

    What if growing what we need didn’t come at the cost of future generations — but actually helped them, by rebuilding topsoil and restoring ecosystems?

    These questions aren’t just speculative.
    They’re at the heart of the world I imagine in my novel Waking Up — a future where food is abundant, accessible, and grown with care for the planet and all its inhabitants.

    But we don’t need to wait a century.

    The seeds of that world are already being planted.

    If you want to get a vision of this future world right now my book is available for only $4,99:

    ORDER HERE

  • We Already Have (more than) Enough

    We Already Have (more than) Enough

    The Myth of Scarcity and the Truth of Global Abundance

    I asked ChatGPT a simple question:

    “What if all the world’s resources were distributed equally to every human — how much would each person get?”

    The answer stunned me. Shocked me. 


    Because it wasn’t based on utopian fantasy or futuristic technology. It was based on what humanity is already using today.

    In 2024, we consumed about 106 billion tonnes of natural resources — metals, minerals, fossil fuels, food, timber, plastics, and construction materials.

    If we shared that equally among 10 billion people — the projected global population in the world described in my book Waking Up — every person would receive:

    10.6 tonnes of resources per year


    That’s 10,600 kilograms per person, every single year.

    Let’s turn that into real, tangible things.

    🏠 What a Family of Four Could Receive Every Year

    Let’s imagine these 10.6 tonnes of resources were shared among a typical family of four. What would they be able to build, eat, power, and own — every single year — if we simply distributed the world’s existing consumption fairly?

    🏡 Housing

    • Each person receives enough material to build a small home every 10 years
    • So a family of four could build one full home every 2.5 years
    • That’s the equivalent of a modern 80–100 square meter (860–1,075 sq ft) home — with solid structure, insulation, plumbing, windows, and roof.
    • In other words: each year, they could build 40% of a full, comfortable family house.

    Housing insecurity would vanish — not through charity, but through simple logic and fairness.

    🛣️ Roads

    • Each person gets enough for 5 meters of paved road per year
    • So a family of four could build 20 meters of road annually.
    • In just five years, that’s 100 meters of road — enough for a private driveway, bike lane, or access road to connect with others.

    🍽️ Food for All — and Then Some

    A family of four would receive over 16,000 kg of food per year — that’s more than 43 kg per day per person.

    That’s more than enough to:

    • Feed four people abundantly every single day. And some animals.
    • Eliminate hunger in every household
    • Still have surplus — even accounting for spoilage and waste.

    On a planet this productive, the fact that people still starve should be unthinkable. And yet, here we are.

    ⚡ Powering a Comfortable Life

    Each family would receive enough energy resources annually to:

    • Drive several thousand kilometers
    • Power lighting, refrigeration, cooking, heating, cooling, and digital devices.
    • Run all essential appliances without strain.

    No one needs to live in darkness.
    No one needs to burn firewood to boil water or freeze in winter — unless our system forces them to.

    📱 Consumer Goods in Stunning Abundance

    With current global output, each family of four would receive over 4 tonnes of consumer goods every year — that’s the weight of a large SUV, made up of electronics, clothing, furniture, and household appliances.

    Just for perspective, every year a family could get one of the following:

    • ~14,000 smartphones
    • ~1,700 laptops
    • ~60 refrigerators
    • ~2,800 pairs of jeans
    • ~84 dishwashers
    • ~400 TVs
    • ~24 motorcycles
    • ~3 cars
    • ~2 small boats


    I know, this seems insane and unbelievable. But these are numbers chatGPT has produced based on hard factual stats found online. 

    Obviously, no one needs this much.


    That’s the point.

    🤯 We’re Not Running Out — We’re Overflowing

    If every person on Earth received an equal share of what we currently extract and produce, we’d all be living in high abundance, comfort, security, and dignity.

    This isn’t some green fantasy. It’s already happening — we just aren’t doing it fairly.

    And here’s the kicker:


    This is based on our current, wasteful, inefficient, throwaway system.

    Everything truly needed — and much of what we desire — could be freely available to all.
    Not in the future. Not after some miracle. But now.
    The Earth already gives us more than enough.

    The only reason we don’t see it is because we’re living under the wrong system.

    Capitalism isn’t malfunctioning — it’s functioning exactly as designed:
    to make the rich richer by extracting value from the rest. Of all the extracted resources every year, only 10% goes to actual consumption. The rest is converted into profit for the 0,1%…

    If we simply shared fairly, designed wisely, and prioritized human need over profit,
    there would be no scarcity — only abundance, dignity, and freedom.

    And perhaps the most astonishing part of all this?

    🌱The Planet Is Still Here — And That’s Miraculous

    Despite our extreme overconsumption — 106 billion tonnes of resources extracted every year — the Earth is still here.
    We are still here.
    Forests still stand. For now.
    Animals and insects still survive. For now.

    The oceans are here still.
    Many wild ecosystems continue to breathe, against all odds.

    It’s a testament to the planet’s resilience… and a source of real hope.

    But it must not become a resting pillow.

    This level of extraction is not sustainable. Not because humanity needs all of it — but because the monetary system demands it.

    We don’t consume because we lack.
    We consume because the system profits from turnover, waste, and artificial growth.

    We mine, cut, burn, and discard — not to meet human needs, but to feed the engine of profit.

    So let this simple truth echo loud:

    The world has more than enough. But the economy doesn’t let us act like it.

    And that is why we need a new way forward — one rooted in purpose, fairness, and intelligent design.

    That’s the world I imagine in Waking Up.


    That’s the conversation this book hopes to begin.

    If you are curious about what this future might look like then you can find out in the book that is available now:

    ORDER THE BOOK

  • The Deep-Sea Mining Dilemma:

    The Deep-Sea Mining Dilemma:

    Ego-driven resource competition without global Consensus

    In recent years, one nation has moved forward with plans to mine the international deep sea for critical minerals like cobalt, nickel, and manganese—materials essential for current technologies like smartphones and electric vehicles. This initiative, made without a global agreement, reflects a troubling aspect of today’s world: ego-driven decision-making in resource management. The focus is on exploiting resources for national short-term gains, ignoring long-term ecological consequences and disregarding the interests of other nations.

    This lack of international cooperation on the mining of the ocean floor is merely one example of a larger, ego-driven praxis that spans the globe. Resource competition has led to wars, environmental destruction, and pollution, with the consequences felt across ecosystems and communities. Whether it’s the extraction of fossil fuels, the deforestation of rainforests, or the mining of precious metals, the current system is driven by competition and a desire for power, profit, and control over resources. The health of the planet and the well-being of future generations are too often sidelined in favor of short-term, ego-driven interests.

    A New Vision: The Resource-Based Economy of the Future

    In stark contrast to today’s ego-driven resource competition, the bookWaking Up presents a radically different vision—one that centers on a resource-based economy. In this new world, resources are not exploited for profit or power but are carefully managed based on the Earth’s carrying capacity and humanity’s true needs, rather than the desires of a few driven by greed.

    A resource-based economy seeks to ensure that resources are used equitably and sustainably, with decisions about resource management made through global cooperation, not unilateral action. In this vision, the focus would be on sharing and regenerating resources, not extracting them without foresight. The principles proposed by the Venus Project align closely with this vision, advocating for a world where human needs are met sustainably and equitably, with resources managed to preserve ecological balance and long-term well-being for all.

    Meeting Our Need, Not Our Greed: A Shift in Focus

    Today, much of the global competition for resources is driven by an insatiable desire for more: more consumer goods, more wealth, more power. This desire for endless consumption has led to the destruction of ecosystems, the pollution of air, water, and soil, and even wars fought over access to precious resources. The insidious effects of this ego-driven mindset are evident in the way resources are extracted, ecosystems are degraded, and Life is often disregarded in favor of economic growth.

    In a resource-based economy, however, the emphasis shifts from excess to sufficiency. Resources would be used to meet humanity’s essential needs—food, water, shelter, healthcare, and education—while respecting the Earth’s ecological limits. Deep-sea mining and other extractive practices would only be pursued if absolutely necessary, and with a focus on minimizing harm to the environment. Instead of competing for limited resources, the new world would focus on sustainability, collaboration, and living within the Earth’s carrying capacity.

    Ecological Stewardship and Global Cooperation: A New Way of Thinking

    The consequences of the ego-driven mindset are not limited to resource extraction—they extend to the way nations interact with each other and the planet. Ego-driven decisions have led to endless conflicts over resources, contributing to war, displacement, and widespread human suffering. Meanwhile, ecosystems continue to be decimated, and pollution continues to poison the planet.

    In contrast, a resource-based economy would prioritize ecological stewardship and global cooperation. Rather than engaging in competitive resource extraction and territorial disputes, nations and communities would work together to ensure the sustainable management of resources. The focus would shift from selfish national interests to the collective well-being of the global community. This vision promotes global agreements, long-term ecological health, and shared responsibility in managing Earth’s resources.

    The Path to Abundance for all: Living Within the Earth’s Carrying Capacity

    The ultimate goal of a resource-based economy in the world of Waking Up is to create abundance—not by over-consuming or exploiting resources, but by living within the Earth’s carrying capacity. In today’s world, greed and competition drive the depletion of resources, the destruction of ecosystems, and the pollution of the planet. But in a future grounded in sustainability, the abundance of resources would be achieved through responsible management, conservation, and regeneration.

    By focusing on meeting humanity’s actual needs—rather than the ego-driven pursuit of power and profit—society can create a future where resources are shared, ecosystems are restored, and the planet thrives. Deep-sea mining, war over resources, and the unchecked pollution of the Earth would be relics of the past, replaced by a system that prioritizes cooperation, ecological balance, and the well-being of all living beings.

    A Glimpse Into the New World: Benjamin Michaels’ Awakening

    The shift to this new world is powerfully illustrated through the protagonist of  Waking Up; Benjamin Michaels. When Benjamin first experiences the global moneyless resource-based economy, he is shocked by the contrast to the world he knew. Being a billionaire raised in a society driven by competition, scarcity, and personal gain, he is astounded by the radical shift towards collaboration, sustainability, and abundance. His journey of awakening reveals the profound transformation that takes place when humanity moves from ego-driven practices to a society based on cooperation and the responsible stewardship of resources.

    What happens next, and how Benjamin’s understanding of the world evolves, is a key part of the story, and the answers are waiting for you in Waking Up. The book is now available for purchase, offering a deeper dive into this inspiring vision of a post-scarcity future, where humanity learns to live in harmony with the planet. You can order the book here:

    ORDER THE BOOK
  • Waking Up Is Live — The Vision I’ve Carried Since Childhood

    Waking Up Is Live — The Vision I’ve Carried Since Childhood

    Launch Day: $0.99 today only. Tomorrow it’s $4.99.

    This isn’t just the launch of a book.
    It’s the sharing of a vision that’s been growing in me since I was a child.

    Ever since I was young, I felt something was off. The world didn’t feel right — not because of one specific injustice, but because something deeper was missing. I didn’t have the words for it then, but I sensed it: a disconnection. A deep forgetting of who we are and what life could be.

    Even in the sci-fi stories I loved, the future was almost always dark — dominated by machines, greed, control, or survival. But I dreamed of something different. I longed for a future that was beautiful — not naive, but healed. A future where we had awakened from the madness. Where humanity had finally grown up.

    That’s the seed behind Waking Up.

    The story first took shape as a film script in 2011 after I had met The Venus Project the year before. but really, the story has been with me all along. But then, in 2015, everything changed. A massive stroke stopped me in my tracks. My body broke down. My life was split in two.

    But that’s when something deeper also broke through.

    What followed was my own journey of awakening — of humility, healing, surrender, and rediscovery. I poured that into the story. The protagonist, Benjamin Michaels, wakes up 100 years in the future in a world beyond money, war, and fear — but he doesn’t wake up completely whole. He carries some brain trauma, emotional instability, confusion. I gave him those traits because I knew them. I had lived them.

    This book is fiction — but it’s also a mirror. A memory of what we once dreamed. A reminder of what we still can become.

    👉 Waking Up is live now — and just $0.99 for today only.


    Tomorrow, the price returns to $4.99.

    And no — there’s no excerpt this time.
    If you want to keep reading, you’ll need to take the leap. 

    Preorder period is over, you will receive the e-book today.

    From the depths of my heart, thank you.


    Let the awakening begin.

    👉 Get the book here 👈

    — H

  •  LAUNCH COUNDOWN: Day 6 – Just Two Days Left to launch

     LAUNCH COUNDOWN: Day 6 – Just Two Days Left to launch

    A Glimpse of New York… 100 Years later...

    Yesterday, on day 5, I shared the first 10 pages of the first chapter set in the future; chapter 5. Panic — Ben waking up and panicking  in a world transformed.

    Today, I want to take you a little further with chapter 6. New York,
    Into what was once the heart of Ben’s world.
    But now into a city that has… evolved.

    This is just a glimpse of what’s coming.
    In just 2 days, the full story is yours if you preorder it now for just $0,99:

    PREORDER HERE

    Transitioning from the last paragraph of chapter 5:

    The capsule began to slow, a soft hum filling the air as it approached the Velocity Terminal in New York City. Ben leaned forward, his heart pounding with a mix of hope and trepidation. What would he find in the city that had once been his home?


    ———

    Here are the first 3 pages of chapter 6. Enjoy.


    6. New York

    Benjamin stepped out into a world unrecognizable. Towering green walls dripped with vines, and sunlight filtered through vast canopies of trees that lined the streets. The air smelled fresh, like after a summer rain, and the low hum of activity came not from honking cars or thundering motorcycles but from people laughing, talking, and working together in the open spaces.

    Everything was immaculate yet alive. Areas of neatly tended grass stretched between the buildings with clusters of trees and vibrant shrubs, while wildflowers peeked through in charming, untamed bursts. Some of the old buildings still stood, preserved as relics of the past, but the spaces between them had been reimagined as lush forests. Cozy, meandering pathways wound through the greenery, dotted with people walking, biking, and pausing on benches to enjoy the serene atmosphere. The fumes Ben was used to from New York was gone, replaced by fresh forest air.

    As Ben stepped onto a meandering path, the city unfolded before him like a living, breathing canvas of color and motion. The people were as varied as the wildflowers and trees lining the pathways, each an expression of individuality unbound by convention. A man strolled past wearing a deep green jacket with intricate leaf-like patterns embroidered into the fabric, his boots softly crunching against the gravel. Nearby, a woman walked with confidence in a dress that refracted light into faint rainbows, the effect subtle and mesmerizing as the sunlight caught its edges.

    A child skipped ahead, dressed in what looked like a patchwork of vibrant, hand-painted fabrics, each square a tiny story. Her hair was adorned with glowing beads that pulsed softly in rhythm with her steps. Two others followed her, one in a sleek jumpsuit of smooth, matte material that hugged their form, the other in a loose tunic and trousers, dyed in shades of blue that seemed to mirror the sky above.

    Ben’s attention was drawn to a young woman weaving gracefully through the crowd. Her movements combined the elegance of ballet with the fluid power of gymnastics, as though the pathway was her stage. She leapt and turned with effortless precision, her long, flowing garment trailing behind her like a whisper of wind. The fabric shimmered faintly, catching the light in fleeting moments but remaining understated. Those she passed paused to watch, their smiles warm and appreciative of the spontaneous performance.

    Above them, a young man on a floating platform sailed gently over the crowd, his outfit a simple blend of earthy tones that harmonized with the greenery below. He waved at those on the path, his expression serene, as the platform adjusted its height to navigate the curves and archways of the park-like setting.

    Everywhere Ben looked, the city thrummed with life and creativity. No one hurried, yet the streets were alive with energy—conversations, laughter, song, and the occasional melody from a handcrafted instrument carried on the breeze. It was unlike anything he’d ever seen: a world not just alive but flourishing, every person a brushstroke in a masterpiece of humanity.

    Above the grass-covered streets, sleek golden, egg-shaped Anti-Gravity Vehicles (AGVs) glided soundlessly, their motion so smooth it was almost hypnotic. They emitted no noise, no pollution—just an elegant, purposeful presence that complemented the diverse scene below. Humanoid robots moved among the gardens, pruning bushes and tending to flowers, but they weren’t alone. Humans worked alongside them, their interactions harmonious and unhurried.

    It was like stepping into a vision of paradise. 

    But to Ben, the sight brought a different sensation—something cold brushing against the edge of his thoughts.

    The robots were elegant, sure, moving with a strange fluidity, even grace. Their gestures mimicked human care as they trimmed leaves or handed tools to gardeners. One even knelt to tie a child’s sandal before continuing on its way.

    But rather than feeling inspired, Ben felt something twist inside him.

    “They’re doing the work,” he thought. “All of it.”

    He scanned the area again. No one seemed in charge. There were no supervisors, no bosses, no payroll, no urgency. The people nearby were smiling, exchanging ideas, experimenting with new plants, sketching designs on invisible screens in the air, but the labor—the maintenance, the heavy lifting, the tedious bits—seemed to fall on the machines.

    In his world, work had meant survival. Money meant security. And jobs—however soul-sucking—had given structure, purpose, identity.

    “If the robots are doing everything,” he wondered, “then what do people do? What am I supposed to do?”

    He looked down at his own hands, suddenly hyper-aware of their stillness. For the first time since waking up, he didn’t just feel out of place—he felt obsolete.

    Ben’s feet carried him forward, almost without thought, as he took it all in. His awe was tinged with disbelief and confusion, his mind struggling to reconcile this idyllic city with the chaotic New York he remembered. Then, through the haze of wonder, his eyes locked onto a familiar landmark: the Freedom Tower.

    ———

    Do you like this and are curious for more..?
    In just 2 days, the full story is yours if you preorder it now.

    👉 Preorder Waking Up for only $0.99 before the launch on May 2:

    PREORDER HERE

  • 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.

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  • 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:

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  • 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:

     

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  • New excerpt – Chapter 3. Family and Legacy

    New excerpt – Chapter 3. Family and Legacy

    It’s been a while since I last shared an excerpt from Waking Up, and I’m excited to continue the journey. If you’ve been following along, we’ve already explored some key moments in Benjamin Michaels’ story:

    – In the prologue, we met Ben as he made a life-changing decision to undergo cryogenic preservation, hoping for a better future in a world that was unraveling around him.

    – Chapter 1 saw Ben watching the world outside his office, where protests and unrest mirrored the deep turmoil within his own body. He began to question everything he thought he knew about the world he had built.

    – Chapter 2 introduced us to a more personal side of Ben, as he prepared to leave his legacy behind. In a reflective moment with his driver, Theobald, and a brief, eye-opening encounter with a beggar, Ben was forced to confront the deeper meaning of wealth, freedom, and success.

    Now, I’m excited to share the whole of Chapter 3 with you in this article! This chapter takes us deeper into Ben’s personal life and the emotional dynamics between him and his family, particularly his wife, Priscilla, and his daughter, Bianca. As Ben faces a health crisis, the tension between his legacy and the fleeting moments of connection with his loved ones becomes even more apparent.

    But be warned, this chapter ends with a cliffhanger that sets the stage for what’s to come. It’s a pivotal turning point that will leave you wondering what’s next for Ben—and his future. Please enjoy the full chapter 3 here:

    Chapter 3. Family and Legacy

    When Benjamin Michaels stepped into his mansion, the warmth of the entryway did little to ease the tension in his chest, in spite of the brisk walk he had just finished. Priscilla’s voice called out from the living room. “You’re early.”

    Ben walked in to find her perched on the edge of the sofa, a glass of wine in her hand. Her gaze flicked to him, sharp and searching. “You canceled all your appointments again, didn’t you?”

    “I needed to think,” he replied, loosening his tie further as he sank into the armchair opposite her. “And I finalized the trust.”

    Priscilla’s lips thinned. “The trust. Right. Everything for Bianca. And what about us?”

    Ben’s jaw tightened. “It’s for all of us. For the future.”

    She shook her head, swirling the wine in her glass. “You’re so obsessed with this future of yours, you’re forgetting the present.”

    Before he could respond, the nanny appeared in the doorway with Bianca, clutching a sketchpad. “Dad? Can I show you something before I go to bed?”

    Ben’s expression softened as he beckoned her over. She climbed onto the arm of his chair and held up her drawing: a vibrant scene of a city filled with green parks and smiling people.

    “It’s beautiful,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Is this the world you’d like to see?”

    She nodded eagerly. “It’s for everyone.”

    Ben sat on Bianca’s bed, tucking her in as he felt a pang in his chest, sharper than he expected. He had just given her a delicate green pendant, saying softly “Whenever you hold this pendant I’ll be with you, wherever you are”. A sudden dizziness overtook him. The edges of his vision darkened, and he slumped to the floor beside her bed. “Dad?” Bianca called out anxiously. 

    There was only silence.

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    If you like this and feel like checking out the whole story, you can preorder the ebook until May 2. 2025. For only $0,99.

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  • 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

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