THE THIRD WAVE
In his analysis of the transformation from First Wave to Second Wave civilization, Toffler makes it clear that it is the change in the techno-sphere (i.e. the interrelated energy, technology and distribution systems) that brings about new ways of living, new attitudes, new ideas and new understandings of the human condition.
The principle of integration which underpinned Second Wave civilization and led to mass production and its concomitants of synchronization, standardization, concentration, maximization and centralization, is the very principle that comes under attack in Third Wave Civilization and leads to the breakdown of industrial systems and “indust-reality” (110) Indust-reality is Toffler’s word for a worldview based on machine technology that brought with it “a redefinition of God... of justice...of love...of power...of beauty ... new ideas, attitudes and analogies. ... (that) subverted and superseded ancient assumptions about time, space, matter, and causality” (110). Second Wave understandings are breaking down and leading to crises in every aspect of life.
Crisis in the postal systems. Crisis in the school systems. Crisis in health-delivery systems. Crisis in the urban systems. Crisis in the international financial system. The nation-state itself is in crisis. The Second Wave value system is in crisis. Even the role system that held industrial civilization together is in crisis. (135)
And these crises result from changes in the techno-sphere (new energy-technology-distribution systems) that mandate a reorganisation of our way of working, living and thinking.
Energy The Second Wave depended on fossil fuels to supply the energy that drove the Second Wave engine. But Second Wave systems are breaking down because fossil fuels are running out. We have to find new sources of energy if human civilization is to survive: thus the search for solar, wind, wave and geothermal power and sources such as the burning of garbage. We live in fear of having to return to a way of life stripped of all the amenities that come from a constant supply of electricity.
Technology Computer technology has reduced the need for masses of workers and for massive systems that were essential to the Second Wave. - The cell phone, computer and fibre optics have reduced the need for massive postal and telephone systems. Telecommunications and publications are moving into cyberspace. – Computer technologies are breaking down concepts like nationalism and taking us into globalism. – New technologies are leading to the discovery of new forms of energy that are not dependent on fossil fuels. - Manufacturing is beginning to move into space. Farming and mining operations are beginning to move into ocean beds. (153) - Genetic engineering is creating a shift from manufacturing to biofacturing. (159-60)
New scientific and technological explorations and developments are making the factory model of the Second Wave redundant. As a result there is growing unemployment. Workers can no longer depend on the private and public sectors for a living.
The factory system of education that served the Second Wave is no longer suited to the needs of the computer age; it does not equip pupils and students with the competencies needed by new technologies such as information theory, quantum electronics and molecular biology which are creating the new civilization. Teachers and students are at odds. Teachers are in Second Wave Mode while children have moved into the Third Wave with computer games, cell phones and other Third Wave technology.
In Third Wave Civilization, the principle of standardization is being replaced by the need for diversity. - Standardisation that resulted from mass production led to standardisation in all aspects life, in products, fashions, conventions and thought patterns and the demand for equality. With the Third Wave comes diversity. The long runs of mass production are giving way to short runs for niche markets, specialization, customization and greater individuality. - Mass circulation of newspapers and magazines is dropping and community newspapers and specialist magazines are becoming more common. – One-way national broadcasting systems have given way to greater diversification. There are many more radio stations and they cater to specialized audiences. With TV, in addition to national broadcasters, there are also private stations and cable TV which provides specialized viewing packages. With Citizen Band radio came two-way communication between broadcaster and receiver. That led to interaction between broadcasters and receivers; now Radio and TV make provision for listener and viewer feedback. – TV provides a variety of images and information about other parts of the world. As this information is constantly being updated, understanding of the world has not only increased but is constantly changing.
The Third Wave can be called the Information Age because of the growth and expansion of information, its sources, ease of access, greater literacy, audio-visual media that do not necessarily require lit