Revisiting ‘Future Shock’

As a young student with a curious mind, one recalls American writer Alfin Toffler’s 1970 bestseller book ‘Future Shock’ as a real revelation, for  the term itself was described as a certain psychological state of individuals and entire societies and a personal perception of “too much change in too short a period of time’. Nearly six decades since then, we have kind of turned shockproof having seen a whole lot of revolutionary changes, driven by huge shifts in technology, politics, socio-cultural values & the dynamics of ‘Power’.

It’s uncanny that a lot of terms now used in context of having ‘POWER’ were familiar to us back in the 1960-70s, because it meant having light or electricity, without which we couldn’t study or work. The biggest setback was if lights failed an evening just before the exam. In times of electricity cuts, candles & emergency lights would be used & life went on. If a prolonged power breakdown occurred during a major event all hell broke loose!

With ‘power’ often playing truant, we were made to realize that it didn’t come cheap and had to be conserved. In the days of frugality and simple living, our parents and teachers set the example to us that fans and lights should be switched off, when not needed, not only in our homes but also in schools, offices and public places. We were sensitized to making the best use of and not waste ‘power’ for there were many in our country, still without it. Today with abundant power we think we have, we don’t care for such small things. Instead we’ve learnt how to easily ‘switch off’ from old friends, jobs and loyalties.

Another thing that was dinned into us was never to be careless while dealing with any appliances that had ‘power’ – a naked wire, a faulty plug or loose connection could give a nasty shock which in severe cases could lead to electrocution. Basic rules were also to carry out such repairs only with gloves & rubber slippers on and if you knew the job. I’ve  always felt that apart from life skills like driving, cooking, swimming, one should know mechanical and electrical odd jobs. Metaphorically speaking ‘POWER’ can get you many things, but ‘shocks’ come to hit you if not prepared to ever lose the ‘Power’ you had..            

Interestingly, much of the terminology that is now associated with ‘Power’ and ‘Powerful leaders ’ has phrases like electrifying presence, high voltage speeches, ‘switched’ over & sent ‘shock waves’ (to the opposition) have all been generously borrowed from Thomas Edison’s invention that brought ‘light’ and shone hope into the lives of people ever after. Therefore, such words are suited to those who work for the well being of fellow humans. 

Pete Hoekstra said ‘Real leadership is leaders recognizing that they serve the people that they lead’. They must set the roadmap and light up the path for others to follow.