Alvin Toffler





Quoting from the Wikipedia:


 * [[Image:Alvin_Toffler.JPEG|right]]Alvin Toffler (born October 3, 1928, died June 27, 2016) was an American writer and futurist, known for his works discussing the digital revolution, communications revolution, corporate revolution and technological singularity. A former associate editor of Fortune magazine, his early work focused on technology and its impact (through effects like information overload). Then he moved to examining the reaction of and changes in society. His later focus has been on the increasing power of 21st century military hardware, weapons and technology proliferation, and capitalism. He was married to Heidi Toffler, also a writer and futurist.


 * Accenture, the management consultancy, has dubbed him the third most influential voice among business leaders, after Bill Gates and Peter Drucker. He has also been described in the Financial Times as the "world's most famous futurologist". People's Daily classes him among the 50 foreigners that shaped modern China.[1]

Introduction
Alan Toffler is a futurist who has written a number of well received books. Much of his work has been done in collaboration with his wife Heidi.

Future Shock, Chapter 12
This section was written by the initial author of this Web Page.

My summary is over chapter 12, The Origins of Overchoice, in Alvin Toffler’s book Future Shock. Individual choice was regarded as the main component for a democratic ideal. It was believed by many that science and technology was the force behind standardization, whether it was standardized goods, education in standardized schools, or the standardization of mass culture. Therefore, it was believed that advances in science and technology would create more standardization. However, this was not the case. Instead of more standardization, the advanced technology actually provided greater diversity and even “overchoices”.

Industrialization had a leveling affect due to mass production and uniformity of product. It has also been considered a major influence on the homogenization of the entire human race. Technological advancements have led the way to super-industrialism, which can provide the greatest variety of unstandardized goods and services. “The consumer market has transformed from a single, homogeneous unit into a series of segmented, fragmented markets, each with its own needs, tastes, and way of life.” (Schwartz 1970 qtd. in Toffler). There are two economic factors involved: 1) consumers have more money to spend on specific wants/needs and 2) the cost of variations have declined. Technology is allowing society to move in the direction of specialization and variety.

With the increase of industrialism, education, especially in the United States, has been following the route of mass production and using standardized packages to implement those objectives. Today, consumers demand and receive variety and specialized products and services through the use of technology. Unfortunately, education is not following suit.

Decentralization of the educational system was the recommended path. This would allow greater regional diversity, local authorities would be able to alter curricula, etc. Decentralization would be the influence that would diversify our educational system. The failure of large school systems was that they had a strong homogenizing influence. This was being achieved by fixing city-wide standards and curricula, by choosing the texts and personnel city-wide, and by imposing uniformity in schools.

It was Toffler’s position that computers would diversify the educational system through the implementation of a wide range of course studies, creating an individual education plan and allowing personal pacing in the acquiring of knowledge. Education would then shift away from standardization and would not restrict our individualism. Technology would increase our freedoms and choice.

Looking at the Future with Alvin Toffler
The following is quoted from a 02/07/2000 article: Looking at the future with Alvin Toffler:


 * Since his 1970 landmark book Future Shock, Alvin Toffler has been one of the world’s most influential futurists. In a series of global best-sellers, co-written with his wife Heidi, he anticipated, long in advance, today’s computer revolution, as well as cloning, the fragmentation of the family, cable television, VCRs, satellites, customized products, the speed-up of daily life, niche markets, virtual agents and the rise of the "knowledge economy." Ted Turner has credited Toffler with inspiring him to start CNN. According to Time magazine, the Tofflers "set the standard by which all subsequent would-be futurists have been measured." Toffler talked with USATODAY.com about the 21st century in a four-part series.

The following four short articles can be accessed by going to the second Link in the list of links for the year 2000 article Alvin Toffler: Future Shock at 30:


 * What moral standards will we have in the 21st century?
 * Can nations survive in the 21st century?
 * How will future wars be fought?
 * Can we end world poverty?

`==Comment By David Moursund Added 12/30/08== As long as I can remember, I have been interested in science fiction—especially science fiction presenting possible views of the future. I was well into my professional career as a mathematician, math educator, computer scientist, and computer educator before I realized that there are some very highly qualified academic people called futurists.

The books written by Alvin Toffler (with considerable help from his wife Heidi) have given me great pleasure over a number of years. They have strongly influenced my studies and writing.

For example, it was through their writings that I first learned about the idea of "high tech, high touch." If this topic interests you, see:


 * Moursund, D.G. (November 1985). High Tech/High Touch. The Computing Teacher. Eugene, OR: ICCE.


 * Moursund, D.G. (1986, 1988, 1989, 2004). High Tech/High Touch: A Computer Education Leadership Development Workshop. Eugene, OR: Information Age Education. Access at http://i-a-e.org/submit-a-document/doc_download/189-high-techhigh-touch-a-computer-education-leadership-development-workshop.html.

High Tech/High Touch is a valuable aid to those currently in school and to those who advise students. My simple for of the advice is to think about what you (a human being) can do better than machines, and vice versa. Get an education that helps you to develop your knowledge and skills in areas that you can do better than computers. Avoid trying to learn to compete with computers in areas where computers are already better than people. However, make sure that you get an education that prepares you to work well with computers in the areas that interest you, and that prepares you to deal with the changes that the continued rapid progress in ICT will bring.

Author
The initial version of this Wiki Page was written by M. Cole. Substantial content has been added by David Moursund.

Categories: Future