Challenging Reality

The author of this book is concerned with the shifting boundaries of organisational achievement across time. He looks at how future forms of organisation may develop as the next millennium looms closer given the constantly changing nature of "reality." This thinking is based on how the social and technological constraints placed upon organisations have evolved in irregular and often giant steps since the dawn of civilisation, and how the late-20th century is not the only period in history to be leading its children into an almost unknowable future. Challenging Reality is an enlightening look at the past, present and future of our world and how change and turmoil have affected, affect, and will affect social and organisational structures.Wie leistungsfähig ist der Mensch? Durch technologische Revolutionen und soziale Entwicklungen wurden die Grenzen im Laufe der Geschichte immer wieder neu gesteckt. Der Autor versucht vorauszusagen, wie wirtschaftliche und soziale Organisationen der Zukunft aussehen müssen, angepaßt an die sich verändernde Realität. An Archaeology of Wonder.

The Age of Invention.

Creativity and Decay.

Tools that Talked.

Willing Cogs in the Machine?

Totally Free to Fly and Totally Free to Fall.

Escapes from the Here and Now.

Cyberia: First Steps.

Shared Nightmares, Shared Dreams.

Within these Walls.

The Rise and Demise of Nations.

Out Island Earth.

Tools of the Overlord.

Monoliths of Stone.

Of Networks and Cocoons.

The Future Mindset.

Epilogue.

Further Reading.

References and Notes to All Chapters.

Index. Aus dem Inhalt:
An Archaeology of Wonder;
The Age of Invention;
Creativity and Decay;
Servants and Slaves;
Willing Cogs in the Machine?;
Totally Free to Fly and Totally Free to Fall;
Signs and Symbols;
Cyberia: First Steps;
Electronic Nightmares, Electronic Dreams..;
Within these Walls;
The Rise and Demise of Nations;
Our Island Earth;
Dominance and Jurisdiction;
Figureheads and Leaders;
Wither Humanity? Tools of the Overlord;
The Industrial Reengineering;
Of Networks and Cocoons;
Epilogue: Moonfall in the Dust.

Christopher Barnatt is a futurist, videographer and Associate Professor of Strategy & Future Studies in Nottingham University Business School. He is widely known in the 3D printing industry, and has written nine previous books.

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Douglas Adams: "Everything is changing. The most fundamental assumptions we have about how people communicate and work together are dropping away. We have to reinvent ourselves. These are exactly the issues that I and my colleagues at The Digital Village are having to grapple with every day. Challenging Reality has certainly sparked a lively d##