What future shock looks like today

The saying goes, “Change is constant. It is the most permanent thing in life.” Many of us may have accepted this statement as a fact but the impact of change may still be difficult to handle.  The Characteristics of Change in Contemporary Times was highlighted in Alvin Tofler’s book, Future Shock (1970).  This may have been written a long time ago, but the discussion on interwoven characteristics of change was thought-provoking and effectively outlined the overwhelming nature of rapid change in modern society. The interwoven characteristics of change, namely:  transience, novelty and diversity are prevalent in various arrays of scenarios.

Transience is the insight that relationships - with people, things, organizations, and ideas - are becoming shorter and more fragile. This is extremely relevant as experienced in various settings like painting a picture of a fast-moving world where permanence is rare as well as  observed in ordinary things such as disposable goods, organizational loyalty, and knowledge turnover.

Emphasizing novelty as both a cognitive and emotional challenge is crucial. Living in a world where “normal” is constantly shifting places a strain on mental health and identity. This is especially significant in an organizational context that needs to prepare the employees to thrive amid unfamiliarity and ambiguity. 

One defining characteristic of change is diversity and its paradoxical effects on modern society. While diversity expands opportunities, perspectives, and choices, it also creates what Tofler(1970) describes as a “surfeit of choices”—an overwhelming abundance that can lead to confusion, paralysis, and dissatisfaction instead of empowerment.  This contradiction arises because as societies become more interconnected, people are exposed to multiple cultural values, lifestyles, and innovations, yet are simultaneously pressured by forces of standardization that push for uniformity. This results in both enrichment and disorientation. Diversity stimulates creativity and inclusivity, but without the ability to adapt, individuals and organizations may feel destabilized. 

In a world characterized by change, instability, and uncertainty, permanent impermanence may have resonated with the country’s devastating catastrophes.

The strong earthquakes experienced in Cebu, Davao and other parts of the country  left the victims traumatic experiences,  being homeless, and overly anxious about the supply for food and water in the midst of aftershocks.

The continuous flooding in Metro Manila, in several provinces of Bulacan, and in different parts of the country shocked the world as it revealed anomalous and substandard anti-flood projects of the government. Overwhelming calamities underscore the necessity of developing resilience and discernment in navigating this flood of adversities.  The voice of Filipinos’ anger demands ensuring justice where diversity need not tolerate and adapt to the abusive system. 

Transforming into a meaningful driver of growth and understanding in an age of permanent impermanence shows the distinction identified by Tofler between culture shock and future shock. Culture shock assumes a return to the familiar, while future shock emphasizes irreversible change, which is both unsettling and more difficult to manage.  This is a powerful way to frame the current global reality, where continuous disruptions—environmental, technological, economic, social—leave no path back  to "normal."

Permanent impermanence is also a case of silence on long-time issues of corruption which could be an opportunity to change.  Maria Corina Cachado, the opposition leader in Venezuela, was awarded the  2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her incredible struggles in  transitioning the Venezuelan government from dictatorship to democracy (BBC and CNN News).

Real change will require positive force and culture that directly impact people’s trust.  The big corruption scandal created a global culture shock (a return to the familiar), notwithstanding the unnecessary  amount of choices in paralysis and dissatisfaction. The Philippines ranks 114 out of 180 countries worldwide based on the global report, the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI, 2024), and this country has been battered by environmental calamities and poverty.  Diverse representation of protesters from different walks of life such as the academe, religious sects, businesses, creative industries, professional and private organizations offers a powerful anchor no matter how chaotic the world is for them.

In an era of future shock, everything seems to shift rapidly. Convergence of these factors—transience, novelty, and diversity—into a "crisis of adaptation" is a keen sense of sadness or regret -  a poignant summary. The list of symptoms—agitation, depression, extremism, terrorism, high turnover, authoritarianism—captures the socio-political and psychological distress of our times. These are not just speculative outcomes but observable trends across societies globally.  Visual examples or statistics could strengthen the argument (e.g., trends in job turnover, consumer behavior, mental health, social or economic developments) in a world characterized by change, instability, and uncertainty, an individual’s faith and trust serve as powerful anchors.

While future shock ignites changes  to happen, it involves the personal and social costs of change.   There are challenges in adaptation, but the cost of not changing certain things are equally important. Change must  happen no matter how much it will cost for the greater benefit of all. People called to serve the public must adhere to the non-negotiable principles of honesty,  integrity, and respect. Recipients of the service must  be reflective  on what is truly lasting and where one can place their ultimate hope and trust.

Fe Violeta G. Baluran, CPA, MBA  is a devoted faculty member of the Department of Accountancy at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business (RVRCOB), De La Salle University. Among her teaching assignments were: Basic Accounting subjects, Ethics and Business Communication to the undergraduate and graduate students of the university. She can be reached through fe.baluran@dlsu.edu.ph

Francia R. Santos, LPT, CPM, DBA  is an associate professor in the Department of Marketing and Advertising at RVRCOB, De La Salle University. Currently, she is the  President of the Executive Council of Deans and Educators in Business (ECODEB).  She is also  one of the coordinators of the Global Sustainable Futures Network (GSFN) scattered from 100+ countries across the globe.