The influential futurist and author of "Future Shock" and "Third Wave" has passed away. He was 87.
Alvin Toffler was loved by many Chinese readers because of his significant scientific contributions and accurate predictions. He predicted the Internet, the rise of personal computers and cloning. He coined the term "information overload," one of the phrases that is famously used at the present information age.
Toffler was a strong liberal but included conservatives like Newt Gingrich in his circle of friends. He was friends with other famous political figures like Mikhail Gorbachev.
"Future Shock" is his first work published in 1970. It delved around the prediction of the coming "super industrialization," which scared the public due to society's rapid rate of change. Through the novel, Toffler predicted that people will experience "psychological paralysis brought upon by stress" or future shock. The novel described super industrialization as societies having closer connections.
"Third Wave, The Study of Tomorrow" was the sequel to "Future Shock." The sequel was published in 1980 and described the movement of societies in waves. These waves, Toffler predicted, would come in phases and would eventually lead to new cultures pushing old ones out of existence.
"Third Wave" was translated to Chinese and made a significant influence in China. The second novel was so famous in the country that it came second to the bestselling "Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping" at that time.
He was named "one of the top most influential foreigners" in China by the People's Daily. He and his wife, Heidi Toffler, came to China in 1983 to speak about "Third Wave."
He then founded Toffler Associates, a consulting firm that he built with his wife.
Toffler will be buried after a private ceremony in Los Angeles, California. Other details of the burial are yet to be released.