An ode to Alvin Toffler’s original with an Indian twist
It’s been more than half a month since we entered 2021, and the general consensus is that the last ten months of lockdown have just passed by. While that is true in the context of relativity, the world itself has changed drastically and is in no ways, hibernating. People too have changed without realising that they have. Dr Sandeep Goyal, an advertising guru, has been writing about what the future holds ever since the lockdown started, as guest columns in a leading publication. With a keen eye he had noticed that nothing is the same as pandemic has changed the way people eat, what they eat, how much they eat, how much makeup they apply, what clothes they will wear, how their homes will look like, and more.
In his book, What’s Next? Future Shock, Goyal details every change across every sector and juxtaposes them with the way the industry will react and change for the better. He covers travel and tourism, health and wellness, education, and more. He also touches upon changes in relationships between families, friends, including the eternal pain of finding love. Goyal’s predictions are from minute to comprehensive. For example, he says in the future children’s school bags might become lighter and due to the invariable participation of parents in online schooling, the number of bulldozer parents will only increase going ahead. He also says a lot of things that would have traditionally been a part of rich homes might make their way to middle class homes, as they turn into necessities… for example, smart kitchens, smart toilets, a quiet corner with recliners and chaise lounges. The world might be shifting towards smart cities as well, which will not remain a futuristic concept for too long. He also points out the challenges it will bring to advertisers and marketers as the entire consumer mindset undergoes a 360 degree spin. So, if you want to be prepared for the future, read the book even if you have missed the Alvin Toffler’s classic.