James Fallows

American Renewal, Ingenuity, and Innovation

Today’s dominant political refrain is that America is in a state of decline. But to James Fallows—one of our most respected journalists—nothing could be further from the truth. Over the course of a three-year, 54,000-mile journey across the country for The Atlantic, as well as his upcoming book Our Towns (May 2018), he discovered many surprising points of reinvention, in every region of the country—and enough to refresh the bleak national conversation to reflect a positive truth.

In this keynote, Fallows reports on the wide range of civic projects underway that are rebuilding America—a cross-section of generations, races, and political affiliations working far from the usual metropolitan hubs. You’ll hear how local heroes, community-minded action, and big dreams are signaling an end to the second gilded age. You’ll learn how real private-public partnerships, resuscitated downtowns, flourishing arts scenes, and schools—research universities, community colleges, and experimental classes—are renewing the tattered social fabric. And you’ll hear how these small, innovative, open places are producing an “archipelago of startups and reinventions.” This is the quiet revival the media can’t hear—the sound of America, in every corner, coming together again.

How to Get it Right in the Easiest Place on Earth to Get it Wrong

James Fallows delivers a monumental and richly textured look at everything you need to know about doing business in China. And he means everything. Reporting from China since 2006, Fallows lucidly explains the economic, political, social, environmental and cultural forces that have transformed China—from poverty to world superpower—at breakneck speed. What can American companies learn from China’s growth, and why shouldn’t we shudder in fear? To what degree are the Chinese and American economies intertwined? Why have most American companies in China remained profitable, even in the economic downturn? In customizable talks, Fallows unpacks the information relevant to your industry and provides a roadmap for sustained growth. Whether you have offices in China, or are thinking about expanding there, Fallows offers a fresh perspective, as well as invaluable advice on how to overcome cultural barriers, how to master negotiating with the Chinese, and how to avoid costly mistakes. This is a breathtaking talk that will help you understand the forces shaping the 21st Century.

Fallows shares the human stories, charts China’s bumpy transition to democracy, and makes sense of both its economic explosion and its environmental impact—while showing us what its growth means for us. Fallows has covered the major foreign policy stories of our time—from Iraq to North Korea to Iran to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and beyond. In this talk, he delivers an unsparing look at the challenges to American foreign policy: our actions in various regions, how other countries perceive us, and how upheavals overseas will impact us. In particular, he dissects the planning and execution of the War in Iraq, pinpoints where it all went wrong, shows us what lies ahead, and draws valuable lessons for future military actions.