WE are effectively entering a virtual word that is blurring the lines with our experience within the physical realm through artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
As with anything, it’s important to know how we got to this point before we can fully understand where we’re going to. So, here’s a little revolutionary history lesson.
The 1st industrial revolution
The first energy-driven revolution spanned from around the early 1700s to early 1800s and was fuelled by the mass extraction of coal and James Watt’s invention of the steam engine.
Where agriculture was the foundation of the economic structure worldwide, mechanisation allowed for this agrarian way of life to be replaced by industry.
With James Hargreaves’ invention of the Spinning Jenny, the initial focus was on the creation of textiles with the establishment of factories and an acceleration of economic and material exchanges.
The 2nd industrial (technological) revolution
The technological developments in the 19th century led to the emergence of new energy sources – electricity, gas and oil – prompting the beginning of the next industrial revolution.
This set in motion the creation of the combustion engine, the development of the steel industry and big advancements in communication and movement.
Both the telegraph and telephone were invented during this period, as well as the automobile and aeroplane in the 20th century.
This was an age of large factories and mass production, with a move away from home-made products.
The 3rd industrial revolution
Coinciding with the World Wars was the next revolution, powered by nuclear energy.
This was accompanied by a massive rise in electronics and telecommunications, as well as the development of computers.
On an industrial level, the era produced automatons and robots, and technologically it was research into space and biotechnology that defined this revolution.
The 4th industrial revolution
Unlike the other three revolutions, this one is not powered by the emergence of a new energy, but rather the emergence of the internet.
It is fundamentally changing the way we exist and co-exist, bringing with it extraordinary technological advances on an unprecedented level.
The benefits to humanity are immense, but with any great power comes the concern of misuse. If implemented properly, we can see the rise of smart cities powered by green energy, where the divide between nations and citizens is minimised.
However, this can only be achieved if we attempt to learn from past mistakes.
