The great transition: Immediate prospects

Abstract

This paper is the third concluding a discussion of the development of human culture, both as a social phenomenon articulated by the progress of civilization and as an intellectual exploration of our condition and our circumstances, now rapidly approaching the limits of observation. It endorses the conclusions from both the earlier studies, that we are on the threshold of an unprecedented cultural advance. It particularly considers the ways in which recent progress in communications and information technology may enable us to develop our increasing collective self‐consciousness in a coherent and creative way. The imminence of the radical advance, and the need to anticipate it, are emphasized.

Keywords:

• communication
• consciousness
• economic
• history
• sociology
• systems