Future Shock

Hard to believe this was written 45 years ago. It was phenomenally prescient, and it still feels representative of the modern era and well-positioned to predict the future. Toffler's premise that the accelerating rate of social change (including ever-greater transcience, novelty, and diversity) is outpacing man's ability to cope comes with a dour imperative: adapt or die.We, as individuals and as a civilization, need to understand "the accelerative thrust triggered by man has become the key to the entire evolutionary process on the planet," and Toffler suggests we need to seize control over the rapid waves of change headed our way before they overtake us. Sadly, society does not yet seem to have heeded Toffler's calls to action, and much of our lives are filled with idle, ephemeral distraction while the ground shifts beneath our feet. Climate change science was not as abundant or conclusive in the early 1970s as it is today, so while they're no mention of it in the book (it's also a natural phenomenon, while Toffler focuses on the accelerative thrust of tech), it is a perfect example of how humans need to be more future-oriented and prepared for massive change.Toffler's writing is well-researched and fast-paced. It reads almost like an action thriller. His descriptions of the accelerative wave of change sweeping through society actually made me anxious as I read--today the force of change is almost tangible; you can feel its pressure everywhere you turn, with all of the complex decisions we're faced with and the new information we're required to process on a daily basis. I'm sure Toffler would find it ironic that I was speed-reading his book--with so much to keep up with, I feel there's no time to read at a leisurely pace anymore.I appreciated Toffler's self-criticism throughout. He acknowledges that no single idea is "omni-insightful" and that, while some of his suggestions for solutions may appear naive, such as transforming our economy to pay more attention to social and environmental welfare, they are also critical to the survival of the human race.Do not underestimate Future Shock. Its message is clearly a driving force behind Ray Kurzweil's "The Singularity Is Near"; billionaire Carlos Slim identified it as a key resource that helped him anticipate the future.If you're fascinated by culture and want to understand the strange, fast-paced compression of modern life, this book is essential.

It is a pleasant surprise to see that this book has been reissued as a hardcover. In the thrity years since its original publication, the basic truths and awesome prognositications have largely come to pass. Of course, in the process Mr. Toffler has become something of a cottage industry himself, since publishing several sequels (The Third Wave, Power Shift, etc.). Yet nothing surpasses the sheer magnitude of the argument forwarded here. Toffler marshalls a virtual mountain of evidence illustrating his claim of a rising flood of techniological, social, and economic change, largely emanating from the increasing influence of science and technology into every area of contemporary life.Toffler's main concern is with the recognition that while a human being's capacity to adjust physically, psychologically, and socially to this torrent of change is finite and quite limited, the pace of change is increasing and expanding into more and more areas of individuals' lives. Moreover, no one is asking for these profound and endless changes; they stem more from the economic impulses of the marketplace than from any kind of consumer demand, and perhaps we should be asking to what extent this flood of innovations actually enhances our lives, and personal convenience associated with all these innovations and technological improvements are worth the social, economic, and political change that follows in its wake.The term "future shock" refers to what happens when people are no longer able to cope with the pace of change. All sorts of symptoms and maladies results, ranging from depression to bizarre behavior to increases in susceptability to disease to absolute emotional breakdown. Thus, Toffler accurately anticipated many of the sorts of psychological, social, and economic maldies and turbulence of the last thirty years. Yet, to date literally no one seems to pay much heed to his thesis, or to ask what it means for the quality of life in our own futures. This is an important book raising critical and fundamental questions about the social, economic, and political impacts of technologically-induced innovations within contemporary society and the way they are flooding uncontested and unhampered into our social environment. This is a must-read for any serious student of social science.

Interesting book. I remember my dad reading this book when I was little. I bought it at the recommendation of a colleague. There are some interesting theories in the book, especially looking back to see how some of them played out. I am not sure that the "shock, distress, and overload" that Toffler predicted has come about. His theory that there will be immense changes based on technological and other advancements was not a far reach. However, his prediction that society will ultimately not be able to adapt to, process, or manage al the new capabilities and the changes that they bring may not be wholly accurate. The shock seems to be more on the older generation (for example, not understanding how the younger generation will communicate by text rather than spoke word, even within direct proximity to each other) and the overload also seems to be on the older generation (watching some seniors try to program a GPS can be interesting), but the younger generation seems to be processing and adopting very well. In my generation, one was hard pressed to get to typing 60 words per minute in a typing class, focusing on one paragraph within one single subject - yet the technology of today has taught small children to type just as quickly while managing multiple conversations at one time. There are some good lessons to consider in this book, so it's not a waste of time to read.

It’s easy to forget how much the sixties were seen at the time to be an era of rapidly accelerating change. The throw-away, transient world of short-span attention and slackening of morals had arrived. There was an explosion of mass media, of scientific and technological innovation, of job mobility and migration, first signs of over-choice and a super-industrial ephemeral society. The author takes no prisoners as he inundates his arguments with gee whiz facts, most of which would by themselves make good conversation pieces. Several predictions may have proved to be off the mark, but the raw fact is that the rate of acceleration has dramatically increased ever since. So when the author talks of a left-behind segment of society, people overwhelmed by the rate of change to become Deniers and Revisionists, this is even more relevant today. The resurgence of populist politics, the Tea Party, Brexit, and all the other current reactionary movements seem to have been predicted. This is a book of a lifetime, even better after nearly 50 years.

I am still reading the book but find it very person-centred with some areas that leave me wanting to comment and differ in outlook. However, there are many points with controversial statements which set one thinking andwanting to critisize American attitudes to life and the change in life and Nation that are not easily accepted. I will make a summary when I have finished reading the book.

Re-reading this book is like welcoming back an old flame, some people may look at old photos to transport them back in time. I've been using books. This and Marshal's Medium is the Massage.Future Shock is possibly hitting home more on the second reading. maybe I was too young to fully grasp it? Maybe time didn't really have meaning until I had fully been hit by one of times timely reminders? (turning 40) A book that makes you feel small and inadequate and then also important.Enjoying the re-read.

In this book Toffler talks a lot about how he sees the world changing in the future and forecasts future trends. Highly accurate in some respects, I love this book because although written in the 70's, a lot has turned out to be true and is a really good insight into trends and trend spotting.

Bought this book as a present for my son for Christmas. He was reading it on Christmas Day and couldn't put the book down.