Nov. 3, 2009 - Future Shock by Alvin Toffler

The term "future shock" was coined by Alvin Toffler in an article he wrote in 1965 and is the topic of this book about change. Future shock describes "the shattering stress and disorientation that we induce in individuals by subjecting them to too much change in too short a time." According to the author, it is surprising how little is known about how people adapt to change. He states that "in the most rapidly changing environment to which man has ever been exposed, we remain pitifully ignorant of how the human animal copes."

Interestingly, the copyright of this book is 1970. I was five years old at that time. When I compare life in the 70's to life past the year 2000, it's easy to see the sweeping results of this change that Toffler predicted. Our way of life has changed drastically and technology has evolved significantly during this time. I believe that this concept of "future shock" will continue and change will occur even more rapidly in modern times. Looking at the growth of the internet, the change in the way human beings communicate and interact, the medical advancements that have been made, the future is sometimes a scary prospect.

This also reminds me of another book I'm reading, The Rise of the Creative Class. I recall the analogy of the time traveller and can see the displacement that would occur if someone from the 70's was placed in the year 2010. Human values and attitudes have been transformed significantly over the last 40 years. We treat each other much differently, work longer and longer hours, multitask constantly and therefore withstand so much more stress in our modern world. Could this be due to the drastic changes we have experienced?

One has only to examine TV shows of the 70's and compare them to those of the new millenium to notice the difference. Think about Charlie's Angels, Little House on the Prairie, Hart to Hart, the Rockford Files, Happy Days, Good Times, Wonder Woman, and the Love Boat. Watching retro TV brings into perspective the metamorphosis of time. Ironically, the happy days and good times of the past may be behind us. Are we ready for even more change in our future?