roundtable: Tofflers see new "neural system" for civilization (Mar 1995)

roundtable: Tofflers see new "neural system" for civilization (Mar 1995)

Tofflers see new "neural system" for civilization (Mar 1995)

Vigdor Schreibman - FINS (fins@access.digex.net)
Fri, 24 Mar 1995 12:47:19 -0500 (EST) 

Date: Fri, 24 Mar 1995 12:47:19 -0500 (EST)
From: Vigdor Schreibman - FINS <fins@access.digex.net>
To: Vigdor Schreibman - FINS <fins@access.digex.net>
Subject: Tofflers see new "neural system" for civilization (Mar 1995)  
Message-Id: <Pine.SUN.3.91.950324124559.4360C-100000@access1.digex.net>


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FINS SPECIAL REPORT                                          March 24, 1995
===========================================================================

TOFFLERS SEES NEW "NEURAL SYSTEM" FOR CIVILIZATION
Renown Futurists Urge Preparation for "Fantastic" Change

Washington, DC--Alvin and Heidi Toffler, futurists and authors of "Future
Shock" "The Third Wave" and "Power Shift" spoke out today about the
"astonishing" and "fantastic" future of the Information Age.  The Tofflers
appeared as the key note speakers at the Library of Congress program of the
Federal Library and Information Center Committee.  The central message
delivered was about the fundamental changes that are now occurring and the
need to "prepare ourselves for the change."

  We are building a "new neural system" for the planet, and therefore,
"changing all relationships of the civilization," Toffler added.  What this
means, Toffler observed, is that we are now witnessing the "death of
geography," the "death of privacy," and the "death of property" in the forms
heretofore known.  He stated "we are in for a period of astonishing and
schizophrenic change," and even "the end of truth" itself, as the very
"structure of knowledge itself is being transformed" into forms that invite
doublethink images of Orwellian character.  This is a new zone of history "a
fantastic event" Toffler added.

  Surprisingly, the remarks offered by the Tofflers did not include any
endorsement of the so called "Politics of the Third Wave" presented by
Speaker Newt Gingrich's think tank "The Progress & Freedom Foundation" in
their controversial white paper, "Magna Carta for the Knowledge Age."
Toffler did respond to a question presented by FINS about the threat of the
telecommunications industry asserting its absolute power over the new
infrastructure being constructed.  He explained that power is manifest
through: 1) violence; 2) money, and 3) knowledge, and he hoped that the wide
distribution of information throughout society will have an impact on the use
of money, through better organization and public use of information.  FINS
inquired further about the classic problem faced by democratic societies to
synthesize issues and find a common voice, which gives strategically located
individuals (i.e., those who have greatest wealth and power) control over the
society.   However, Toffler offered no response to this historical problem
faced by citizens in organizing themselves, which is now exacerbated by the
fantastic changes taking place, in which corporate power is dominant.

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