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I just read a related book, “The Shockwave Rider” from 1975, which apparently Brennan said was derived from “Future Shock”. Despite some big misses in predictin
by techstrategist 8y ago
I just read a related book, “The Shockwave Rider” from 1975, which apparently Brennan said was derived from “Future Shock”. Despite some big misses in predicting future tech, it was a very interesting exploration of the effects of rapid change on individuals and society, and of course the protagonist smart enough to ride the wave. Looking forward to watching this and reading Future Shock.
Some highlights:
- Plug in culture for skilled workers, seamlessly moving from city to city and leaving everything behind.
- A few asteroid mining companies have huge clout with government and dominate the economy. Huge benefits and protections for executives. Higher access to restricted data.
- Average joes reduced to tribalism and street fighting.
- Delphi prediction market allowing people to bet on and influence social change.
- mattnewton 8y agoReplace asteroid mining with oil, and it doesn’t seem too far off..
- adgasf 8y agoThe Shockwave Rider is part of a sort-of-series of near-future novels by John Brunner. The others are Stand on Zanzibar (overpopulation), The Sheep Look Up (ecological catastrophe) and The Jagged Orbit (interracial violence).
- techstrategist 8y agoNice, I’ve bookmarked all of them to read together and just soak up Brunner’s vision of the future.
- mindcrime 8y agoI've read The Shockwave Rider but not the others... definitely looking forward to digging into the rest of the John Brunner catalog at some point. Thanks for highlighting those!