- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

'Future Shock' Author Alvin Toffler Passes Away Aged 87

© AP Photo / Paul SakumaAuthor Alvin Toffler
Author Alvin Toffler - Sputnik International
Subscribe
World-famous US sociologist, philosopher and futurologist Alvin Toffler died in his sleep at home in Los Angeles on Monday. His works foresaw the technological development of humanity years before it was actually brought to life.

"Alvin Toffler, one of the most respected futurists of the modern era and known around the world for ideas that influenced government and business leaders alike, died at age 87 late Monday, June 27. He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years and longtime business partner, Heidi Toffler", Toffler Associates said.

​A "keen observer and predictor of global trends," Toffler graduated from the New York University, married and worked as a journalist and editor. His experience inspired him to write his ground-breaking "Future Shock" (1970) which became a global bestseller and laid the foundation for his glittering career.

This work has been published in millions and translated into dozens of languages. The author predicted the next level in civilizational development the signs of which are penetrating the world of today. He examined the postindustrial stage characterized by fusion of science, capital and communications.

"Future shock is the shattering stress and disorientation that we induce in individuals by subjecting them to too much change in too short a time", he wrote.

Toffler foresaw transformations of government, economy and family. The futurologist predicted the emergence of the Internet, PCs, cable TV and even cloning.

​He incrementally expanded his ideas in other works such as "The Third Wave" (1980) and "Powershift" (1990).

In Russia, Toffler participated in the creation of the first NGO at the invitation of then-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev back in 1986, Toffler Associates noted.

"Change is not merely necessary to life — it is life", wrote Elvin Toffler.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала