I wanted to highlight a few contemporary authors that advocate Microcapitalist ideals – although they are not yet using the term. Rather, if you ask they will probably identify themselves as capitalists, though they are critical of some of the traditional ideals, and you could hardly liken them to big business and finance companies that defend capitalism. They’re the kind of modern practitioners you don’t hear distributists talk about, despite the impact they have in today’s culture.

Timothy Ferriss, author of the 4-Hour Workweek. I almost stopped reading Ferriss’ book a few pages into it, as he writes like he’s in competition with the Old Spice Guy & the Most Interesting Man in the World for bragging rights. But Ferriss lays out how working for someone else won’t get you anywhere and the need to produce something yourself (albeit by outsourcing). The real hidden value is how to subversively get started, even while an employee by avoiding meetings and getting approval to work out of the office.

Seth Godin, author of Linchpin and Small is the New Big, and more. Godin constantly pushes his readers to take risks and personally produce more, fighting the the survival instinct of the amygdala or “lizard brain” to fit in, keep your head down, and remain a wage slave. He’s explicitly critical of modern education, particularly business schools.

Jason Fried & 37Signals, authors of Rework and Getting Real. I was blown away by these guys. Unlike Godin and Ferriss, 37Signals is not in the book-writing and inspiration business, they’re a software company, creators of Ruby on Rails. Their books have come out of their own practices, and have a great mix of practical tips and theory – not just for those in their industry.

Let’s retire the term entrepreneur. It’s outdated and loaded with baggage. It smells like a members-only club. Everyone should be encouraged to start his own business, not just some rare breed that self-identifies as entrepreneurs.

Jason Fried, Rework

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