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.

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.