An industrial revolution accelerated the Bureaucratic Age - a digital revolution is ending it.
Ranked #4,112 in Culture & Society, #86,443 overall | Donates to Grameen Foundation
A new season requires a different approach.
Winter is ending, spring and its fancies are softly calling.
The Bureaucratic Age was winter for individuals; opportunities were buried under blizzards of paperwork, crippling winds of high taxes, and mountainous drifts of regulations.
With apologizes to Alfred, Lord Tennyson for my poetic butchery:
In the Spring a fuller crimson comes upon the robin's breast;
In the Spring fancy lightly holds the future, not long winters past.
Once we have endured the seething storms, a changing of seasons will first awaken the prepared. Coming is a spring time of opportunities for individuals. Your expectations should be greater than "seize the day."
There is time yet to consider creating your own days, and designing your own life.
We now know the Industrial age is over, and the neo-renaissance or Netcohort Age has begun.
but sometimes I'm a bit slow
This will get fun later - but first we need to understand what's happening.I have spent a great deal of time explaining that industrial age bureaucracies were not just in industry, but in all of the too bigs: government, education, religions, military, unions, etc; all of them enabled by regulations. I then spent time explaining a rationale for economies of scale and how that led to a one size fits most society.
I was slow to pick up the obfuscation.
I had not considered that some might prefer to use the industrial age moniker as a way to misdirect attention from where it belongs. Those that want to blame capitalism for all the worlds ills for one, others that don't want you looking at unjust too big governments as arising from the same family business as industry. There are others.
It is similar to how Western governments have recently changed the debate on every person's right to privacy into a witch hunt of private companies that have weak privacy policies. That leaves government free to be as intrusive as they wish. As recently as President Johnson privacy was an acknowledged universal right: "Every man should know that his conversations, his correspondence, and his personal life are private." - Lyndon B. Johnson
Laws were passed to require "privacy," from business intrusions while all other bureaucracies assumed an open policy. Those same laws had many loopholes to allow big business to join into the mining of your private life. The result? All bureaucrats can use what was recently our discretionary property.
So we see that industry is blamed for any ills of the last few hundred years while governments and other bureaucrats claim to have created the benefits.
It is time to acknowledge the source of much of mankind's current woes - bureaucracies. We are leaving The Bureaucratic Age, nee industrial age.
Yes, there were great advances made under bureaucratic umbrellas - but most were due to individuals that heroically fought internal resistance and persevered.
"People who create things nowadays can expect to be prosecuted by highly moralistic people who are incapable of creating anything. There is no way to measure the chilling effect on innovation that results from the threats of taxation, regulation and prosecution against anything that succeeds. We'll never know how many ideas our government has aborted in the name of protecting us." - Joseph Sobran
Mankind has always seemed to be on the cusp of disaster.
It is only in innovation, made possible by individual visionaries, that we will be able to maintain the progression of civilization. It is time the Bureaucratic age ended.
We need the self-tailored society being created by the Netcohort.
There ain't no rules around here!
We're trying to accomplish something.
Thomas Edison
I will try to remember to call it the Bureaucratic Age in my future writings. I'll also talk about it less as we look at what is likely to replace it.
If something evil is about to fall -- it should be pushed!
Your worthwhile task is replacing bloated bureaucracies.
"Bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated by pygmies." - Balzac
The things that haven't been done before
Are the tasks worthwhile today;
Are you one of the flock that follows, or
Are you one that shall lead the way
Are you one of the timid souls that quail
At the jeers of a doubting crew,
Or dare you, whether you win or fail,
Strike out for a goal that's new?
Edgar Guest
Who do we let shape our views of the future?
"In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Here are several honest ways to earn money for a good cause.
Back to the future.
A faux futurist is like a broker's economist. Since you can't always guess right -- guess often.
Then you can point at any guess that came close and shout - I TOLD YOU SO!
and ask for more money.
Based on captive economists and scientists, more money is just the start. The "powers that be" want to panic us into surrendering our free choice to them.
Solutions to current world problems will not be found by creating panic, calling names, or by government and NGO (non government organization) bureaucrats.
We are the solution. (more later)
And we have visionary leaders and teachers to thank for giving us a choice of personal direction.
"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."
Albert Schwietzer
Integrity Matters
The Netcohort Age Has Begun
Don't just sit there - be something!
The Netcohort & the Netcohort Society
Netcohort: knowledge workers lead the emerging Netcohort Society.
We can complete the circle.The Netcohort Revolution era, start of an emerging netcohort age that will replace the bureaucratic age. The industrial revolution's middle class will be replaced by the Netcohort, as the guilds were replaced by a bureaucratic middle class. Most of the upper classes will be replaced by serial entrepreneurs of solid reputation. Bureaucracies will become small, fragile, and easily displaced.
What if I don't want to join?
If you are training to become a professional you are probably in a good situation. There is a need for your skills, but as bureaucratic age schools around the world create huge numbers of competitors, expect diminished value from formal education. Of course that may be good for the rest of us as costs of professional services decrease.
What will have value in the future?
Re-learn to enjoy learning. The successful members of the netcohort will demonstrate integrity, knowledge, adaptability, and a desire to be constantly learning.
How do I become a member of the Netcohort?
Think small business on steroids. Aggressive and honorable business practices will allow you to network with similar individuals in short term, project oriented teams. Information technology Netcohort teams are already producing wonderful results.
How do I prepare?
At any age, start to explore knowledge in areas you enjoy. Use technology to leverage your research. Create based on your insights; and then dig deeper into knowledge that enhances your projects. If you are serving the twelve year sentence in public schools, look beyond their doors for reality. Don't blindly accept a bureaucratic school's view of reality. If possible get yourself home schooled or become unschooled. Find areas where you want to learn and study them, discover the pleasures of self directed learning.
What is the action step?
The final piece is to find other creative people that share your passions. Check their reputation and do some small projects with them. Over time you will develop a reputation; if your reputation is one of passion, knowledge, action, and integrity you will have many opportunities to join important projects.
This is also a fun way to live.
As part of the netcohort you will stay mobile, flexible, and open to new ideas. You will build on what others have created, as others will build on your contributions - all will profit.
Bureaucrat Tipping
It's time to flip the bureaucrats - they're done.
Where did you come up with this Bureaucratic Age to Netcohort Age stuff?
Obviously I've had some help.
These books will represent the hundreds of related books I have read. The following works contain many of the ideas I've gleaned from perceptive authors.
Disruptive Technology & Disruptive Innovation
And now the disruptive Netcohort Age

It is the sunset of the bureaucratic age.
Disruptive technology and disruptive innovation are both described in Wikopedia. Joseph Schumpeter presented a well developed economist's view of the same idea in the 1940s, he called it creative destruction.
Regardless of origin, the idea that new technology slowly overtakes and then passes entrenched methodologies, to everyone's benefit except the old tech, is a sound concept. A new disruptive technology is frequently just a niche play at first, but as it develops it is found to be an improvement with much broader applications.
Bows replaced sling shots and were in return replaced by guns. It is not just tech, in society: YOU will replace "Them."
Your ability to bring creative destruction also applies to education. "In a time of drastic change it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists." - Eric Hoffer
Economies of scale are reversing. Opportunities for technology empowered individuals are on the increase. Disruptive technologies offer substantial rewards and huge potential to efficient netcohort individuals and teams.
It's time for a very new type of school.
a school that is challenging, fun, and provides experience..
Build a valuable reputation by doing your own thing.
There is no teacher standing at the front of the room telling you to quit disrupting class.
Be as disruptive as you wish.
Make your dreams as audacious as you can imagine - then create them.
Peer to peer is coming to education, P2Pedu. YOU will create it.
Head over to the Netcohort Institute and be disruptive. Society is rightfully nervous. But you are their salvation even if they can't see it.
Life on earth has always been a race between impending destruction and the innate genius of individuals to innovate.
Bureaucrats can't innovate - they can't even fit into their desk chairs.
It's up to you. It's your world and your life - build it and enjoy it.
Disruptive natural enterprise is the only solution.
"The risks and rewards of natural enterprise are greater, and of far more value to society, than any illusions of security that bind human cogs to a social machine." - Allan R. Wallace
enjoy
There are several futures waiting for us.
We get to select and produce the future we think will be best for us and those we love.
As we maximize our own value, we will add value to the entire Netcohort. Together we can change the world.
Let's put a web 2.0 thingee in here
Do you believe the Bureaucratic age is ending?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYeppers, and it seems to be happening fairly fast.
_vigilante_ says:
still not sure about how you would survive, but if you are given a chance to show the world a new view why not take it, and that's what i plan on doing. good luck to everyone out their im a ~vigilante~, peace out =P
Posted December 05, 2009
Pastiche says:
Oh yeah. I departed years ago. My alt-life is much better than the trodden path I was trying to follow. Many thought I was out of my head then but now, not so.
Posted April 08, 2009
daria369 says:
I very much enjoy your points of view and your own unique way of thinking!
Posted December 17, 2008
put other opinions here, even one as to why my screw is loose.
cobolos says:
It would end sooner, but the "netcohort" and internet access in general is still too inaccessable. The net and these new possiblities are too far removed from many in the working class.
Posted August 03, 2011
svrmirac says:
In Estonia, it's over. In Serbia, and the rest of the Balkans, it's very much alive. If it's going, it's going with a fight. Tapeworm.
Posted June 10, 2011
Saru says:
Please do not stare at the monkeys.
Posted September 05, 2010
For now, it always comes back to books.
There is lots of good information on the internet.
And it makes it hard to read the next screen.
A book you can personalize, and make it yours.
Give me something to think about.
For most folks there are a lot of new concepts here. Hit me with a few of your ideas - I'm eager to learn.
-
Reply
-
jksterling
Jan 27, 2012 @ 9:34 pm | delete
- I love the way you think and how you communicate your thoughts.
-
-
Reply
-
SquidooProductReviews
Sep 10, 2011 @ 11:00 am | delete
- We have choices make them count.
-
-
Reply
-
Treasures-By-Brenda
Apr 15, 2009 @ 7:05 pm | delete
- As always, Allan, you have provided plenty to think about on this well done lens which has been blessed by Brenda!
-
-
Reply
-
Pastiche
Apr 8, 2009 @ 8:56 am | delete
- Thanks for adding this lens to Senior Geek Squids. We have much to ponder, and much yet left to learn.
-
-
Reply
-
Pastiche
Apr 8, 2009 @ 8:28 am | delete
- More more more ... my brain is on fire.
-
-
Reply
-
daria369
Dec 17, 2008 @ 9:27 am | delete
- To me this is a very fun topic. It makes me feel good because it explains in so many ways why I couldn't ever fit in (although all I want is - do my own thing - without being supervised every step of the way)...
Thank you! :)
-
-
Reply
-
susannaduffy
Dec 12, 2008 @ 3:17 pm | delete
- You always have a fascinating topic that sends me off searching for more
-
-
Reply
-
E. Mildred Conn
May 24, 2008 @ 2:25 pm | delete
- THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH
-
So we covered a bit about the Bureaucratic Age.
What happens now?
The springtime of technology advances for individuals are crumbling bureaucratic walls.
To re-read, favorite, rate, stumbleupon, digg, research books, contact the author, create your own lens, and e-mail this lens to your friends and associates:

Return to top of page.
"We are surrounded by easily perceived barriers that limit our achievement. Most such walls were erected using substantial appearing mists of ignorance. We need to discover and acknowledge these boundaries, and then run through them." - Allan R. Wallace
100% of direct income from my lenses goes to micro-finance solutions for world poverty provided by the Grameen Foundation. The Grameen Foundation is creating a rising tide of positive influence upon our world. Help decrease poverty, by enabling the poor to support themselves.
Will your life be based on what you want to use it to accomplish, or by random urges of what you want to do?
by BFuniv.com
Allan R. Wallace Trains Visionaries
"I just might be wrong; but if you view change as a problem rather than an opportunity you'll always be too late....
more »
- 145 featured lenses
- Winner of 15 trophies!
- Top lens » The Importance Of Education
Explore related pages
- cybersecurity and cyberattack cybersecurity and cyberattack
- write my book: ignore spelling, grammar, and formatting write my book: ignore spelling, grammar, and formatting
- Much More Than 24k Wealth Much More Than 24k Wealth
- Living a Win-Win-Win Life Living a Win-Win-Win Life
- Ethics vs Law Ethics vs Law
- Frugal Family Business Frugal Family Business

