Sputnik... World-famous US sociologist, philosopher and futurologist Alvin Toffler died in his sleep at home in Los Angeles on Monday. His works foresaw the technological development of humanity years before it was actually brought to life. "Alvin Toffler, one of the most respected futurists of the modern era and known around the world for ideas that influenced government and business leaders alike, died at age 87 late Monday, June 27. He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years and longtime business partner, Heidi Toffler", Toffler Associates said.
With heavy hearts we share that Alvin Toffler, our firm’s founder, has died at age 87. #RememberingAlvinToffler t.co/PjzIZvRBD7 — Toffler Associates (@TofflerInsights) 29 июня 2016 г.
A "keen observer and predictor of global trends," Toffler graduated from the New York University, married and worked as a journalist and editor. His experience inspired him to write his ground-breaking "Future Shock" (1970) which became a global bestseller and laid the foundation for his glittering career.
This work has been published in millions and translated into dozens of languages. The author predicted the next level in civilizational development the signs of which are penetrating the world of today. He examined the postindustrial stage characterized by fusion of science, capital and communications.
"Future shock is the shattering stress and disorientation that we induce in individuals by subjecting them to too much change in too short a time", he wrote.
Toffler foresaw transformations of government, economy and family. The futurologist predicted the emergence of the Internet, PCs, cable TV and even cloning.
"The future always comes too fast and in the wrong order" #AlvinToffler 1928-2016 #RIP #Toffler pic.twitter.com/nfQnYvf1i7 — Steve Case (@SteveCase) 30 июня 2016 г.
He incrementally expanded his ideas in other works such as "The Third Wave" (1980) and "Powershift" (1990).
"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read & write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, & relearn" RIP Toffler — Cate Long (@cate_long) 30 июня 2016 г.
In Russia, Toffler participated in the creation of the first NGO at the invitation of then-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev back in 1986, Toffler Associates noted.
"Change is not merely necessary to life — it is life", wrote Elvin Toffler.
