Toffler’s Three Waves

Toffler’s Three Waves

A 1980 book written by Alvin Toffler, an American writer, futurist, and businessman known for his works discussing modern technologies and their effects on cultures worldwide.

The Third Wave (1980)

Alvin Toffler is regarded as one of the world's outstanding futurists.

Multiple Choice

According to Alvin Toffler, the Three Waves are the Agricultural Age, Industrial Age, and the …

• Computer Age.

• Electronic Era.

• Space Age.

• None of the above

Multiple Choice

Why did Toffler use the metaphor of “waves”?

• Waves of change collide and overlap.

• The wave metaphor was a fresh take at the time.

• Multiple ripples and swells represent different aspects of society changing.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following dates is CORRECT?

• Agricultural Revolution: 11,000 BCE

• Industrial Revolution: 18th Century

• Post-Industrial Revolution: 1990s to present

Three Revolutions

• Agricultural Revolution: 10,000 BCE

• Industrial Revolution: 18th Century

• Post-Industrial Revolution: Mid-20th Century

Multiple Choice

What is the key commodity of the First Wave?

• Capital

• Data

• Information

• Land

Multiple Choice

What is the key commodity of the Second Wave?

• Capital

• Data

• Information

• Land

Key Commodity

• Agricultural Age: Land

• Industrial Age: Capital

  • Land as an asset

• Information Age: Data/information

Multiple Choice

How is time perceived during the Second Wave?

• Cyclical

• Decentralized

• Linear

Multiple Choice

How is time perceived during the Third Wave?

• Cyclical

• Decentralized

• Linear

Industrial Age

​Agricultural Age

Perception of Time

Information Age

Multiple Choice

What is the energy source of the First Wave?

• Bio-tech

• Fossil fuels

• Man-imal or “living batteries”

• Renewable

Multiple Choice

What is the energy source of the Second Wave?

• Bio-tech

• Fossil fuels

• Man-imal or “living batteries”

• Renewable

Energy Sources

• First Wave: Man-imal (man- and animal-powered) or “living batteries”

• Second Wave: Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas)

• Third Wave: Bio-tech (bio-fuels) or renewable

Multiple Choice

What is the key technology of the First Wave?

• Digital

• Electromechanical

• Genetic

• Widgets or simple machines (wheels, levers, wedges, etc.)

Multiple Choice

What is the key technology of the Second Wave?

• Digital

• Electromechanical

• Genetic

• Widgets or simple machines (wheels, levers, wedges, etc.)

Key Technologies

• First Wave: Widgets or simple machines (wheels, levers, wedges, etc.)

• Second Wave: Electromechanical

• Third Wave: Digital or genetic

Multiple Choice

How can you describe production during the Third Wave?

• Hand-crafted (for self use)

• Mass Produced

• DIY or Prosumer

Multiple Choice

How can you describe production during the First Wave?

• Hand-crafted (for self use)

• Mass Produced

• DIY or Prosumer

Production

• Agricultural Age: Hand-crafted (for self use)

• Industrial Age: Mass produced — factory-made

• Information Age: DIY or Prosumer

  • In reaction and opposition to mass production

  • Customized and personalized

Multiple Choice

How can you describe trade in the First Wave?

• Barter (1:1)

• Customer-centric

• Product-centric

Multiple Choice

How can you describe trade in the Second Wave?

• Barter (1:1)

• Customer-centric

• Product-centric

Trade and Marketing

• First Wave: Barter (1:1)

• Second Wave: Product-centric

  • Products with the “best features”

• Third Wave: Customer-centric

  • Unique and customized to each customer’s needs

Multiple Choice

How can you describe distribution in the Second Wave?

• Mass exchange

• Restricted

• Specialized

Multiple Choice

How can you describe distribution in the Third Wave?

• Mass exchange

• Restricted

• Specialized

Distribution

• First Wave: Restricted

• Second Wave: Mass exchange

  • Global trade (import and export)

• Third Wave: Specialized

  • In reaction and opposition to global trade

Multiple Choice

How can you describe the predominant business structure in the Second Wave?

• Conglomerates

• Corporations

• Individuals

• Partnerships

Multiple Choice

How can you describe the predominant business structure in the Third Wave?

• Conglomerates

• Corporations

• Individuals

• Partnerships

Business Structure

• First Wave: Individuals and partnerships

• Second Wave: Corporations

• Third Wave: Conglomerates

  • Merging diverse businesses

Multiple Choice

What is the main family structure during the First Wave?

• Blended

• Expanded

• Extended

• Nuclear

Multiple Choice

What is the main family structure during the Second Wave?

• Blended

• Expanded

• Extended

• Nuclear

Family Structures

• First Wave: Extended

  • Age and experience are respected

• Second Wave: Nuclear

  • Father works in the factory; mother takes care of the home

  • Some responsibilities of the family → Taken over by the state

• Third Wave: Blended and expanded

Multiple Choice

How can you describe education in the First Wave?

• Elitist

• Lifelong

• Specialized

• Standardized

Multiple Choice

How can you describe education in the Second Wave?

• Elitist

• Lifelong

• Specialized

• Standardized

Multiple Choice

How can you describe communication in the First Wave?

• Interactive

• Instantaneous

• Interpersonal

• Mass Mediated

Multiple Choice

How can you describe communication in the Second Wave?

• Interactive

• Instantaneous

• Interpersonal

• Mass Mediated

Multiple Choice

Toffler predicted that advanced communication technologies would allow us to transition to an “electronic cottage”, enabling many people to work from home.

• True

• False