The Fourth Industrial Revolution (Klaus Schwab) - PDF File
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1.1 Historical Context
The word “revolution” denotes abrupt and radical change. Revolutions have
occurred throughout history when new technologies and novel ways of
perceiving the world trigger a profound change in economic systems and
social structures. Given that history is used as a frame of reference, the
abruptness of these changes may take years to unfold.
The first profound shift in our way of living—the transition from foraging
to farming—happened around 10,000 years ago and was made possible by
the domestication of animals. The agrarian revolution combined the efforts
of animals with those of humans for the purpose of production,
transportation and communication. Little by little, food production
improved, spurring population growth and enabling larger human
settlements. This eventually led to urbanization and the rise of cities.
The agrarian revolution was followed by a series of industrial revolutions
that began in the second half of the 18th century. These marked the
transition from muscle power to mechanical power, evolving to where
today, with the fourth industrial revolution, enhanced cognitive power is
augmenting human production.
The word “revolution” denotes abrupt and radical change. Revolutions have
occurred throughout history when new technologies and novel ways of
perceiving the world trigger a profound change in economic systems and
social structures. Given that history is used as a frame of reference, the
abruptness of these changes may take years to unfold.
The first profound shift in our way of living—the transition from foraging
to farming—happened around 10,000 years ago and was made possible by
the domestication of animals. The agrarian revolution combined the efforts
of animals with those of humans for the purpose of production,
transportation and communication. Little by little, food production
improved, spurring population growth and enabling larger human
settlements. This eventually led to urbanization and the rise of cities.
The agrarian revolution was followed by a series of industrial revolutions
that began in the second half of the 18th century. These marked the
transition from muscle power to mechanical power, evolving to where
today, with the fourth industrial revolution, enhanced cognitive power is
augmenting human production.