MODERNITY
1789 - Present. The era of machines, total war, and information. The world shrinks as the pace of change accelerates.
The Industrial Revolution
The shift from hand production to machines. Steam power, fossil fuels, and the rise of factories fundamentally altered human society and the environment.
The Age of Extremes
The 20th century saw the deadliest conflicts in history (WWI, WWII) and the ideological battle between Capitalism and Communism. It ended with the splitting of the atom and the exploration of space.
[Image of Saturn V rocket]The Information Age
The transition from mechanical/analog to digital electronics. The Internet has democratized information, created a global economy, and introduced the age of Artificial Intelligence.
The Great Acceleration
Globalization
The compression of time and space. Culture, capital, and people move freely across borders, creating a singular global system.