Book Description

In a world where technology shapes every aspect of our lives, “Digital Shock: Seven Shocks That Are Shaping the Future” delves into the profound disruptions we face today—and those still to come. Digital technologies like the Internet and social media have thrust us into unforeseen and new ways of life. We are also witnessing rapid advancements in fields such as Codifying Trust, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and others. In this digital age, technology has transformed mobility and agriculture, but it has also led to resource depletion and health issues. How did we manage these shifts in the past, and how will we cope with even greater changes in the present and future? Will we survive in the current world of the Internet, mobile phones, eCommerce, and social media? Or, are we in for a rude shock? Will we adapt or become a lonely ‘Society of One’? “Digital Shock,” written by prominent global thought leaders and some of the most published authors of our time, identifies seven shocks we are all experiencing in the 21st century. These include coping with digital addiction, families living like roommates, the emergence of virtual communities, the borderless world of social media, lack of governance, and the need to adaptively reuse physical assets like factories and malls. Contrary to doomsday thinkers, we believe humanity will not only absorb each shock but also consider it as an opportunity for more discoveries and innovations. We foresee that with our cognitive capabilities, and some proactive planning by each individual and society, we will once again embrace the future not only to survive but also to thrive. Hence, this book is neither academic nor prescriptive, nor is it a treatise on technology. It differs in its execution and engagement of this critical subject that impacts all our lives.