Annotation A "macroshift" is a transformation of practically all aspects of life, from individual lifestyles to the global economy. Expert Ervin Laszlo argues that the macroshift now upon the planet is unprecedented in scope, and, reverberating as it does at every level, warrants serious attention. This book describes the dynamics of today's macroshift, cautioning that the values and behaviors associated with it have the power to either break through or break down world order. Readers learn about the essential dangers and opportunities they face and how they can begin to make informed, responsible choices.

A macroshift is a transformation of practically all aspects of life, from individual lifestyles to the global economy. Expert Ervin Laszlo argues that the macroshift now upon the planet is unprecedented in scope, and, reverberating as it does at every level, warrants serious attention. This book describes the dynamics of today's macroshift, ...

The shift from scientific materialism to a multidimensional worldview in harmony with the world’s great spiritual traditions • Articulates humanity’s critical choice--to be the last decade of an outgoing, obsolete world, or the first of a new and viable one • Presents a new “reality map” to guide us through the environmental, scientific, and geopolitical upheavals we are experiencing Our world is in a Macroshift. The reality we are experiencing today is a substantially new reality--climate change, global corporations, industrialized agriculture--challenging us to change with our rapidly changing world, lest we perish. In this book, Ervin Laszlo presents a new “reality map” to guide us through the world shifts we are experiencing--the problems, opportunities, and challenges we face individually as well as collectively--in order to help us understand what we must do during this time of great transition. Science’s cutting edge now views reality as broader, as multiple universes arising in a possibly infinite meta-universe, as well as deeper, extending into dimensions at the subatomic level. Laszlo shows that aspects of human experience that had previously been consigned to the domain of intuition and speculation are now being explored with scientific rigor and urgency. There has been a shift in the materialistic scientific view of reality toward the multidimensional worldview of multiple interconnected realities long known by the world’s great spiritual traditions. By understanding the interconnectedness of our changing world as well as our changing “map” of the world, we can navigate with insight, wisdom, and confidence.

This study analyses the fifty year evolution of Ervin Laszlo’s contribution to science and philosophy. It records the major turning points in his thinking and discusses who and what influenced this evolution and with what result. Laszlo’s search for answers to questions such as man’s relationship to nature and the cosmos, and the nature of underlying factors of evolution which connect all things were not satisfied by working only on the basis of the General Evolutionary Systems Theory. Wittgenstein said “In every serious philosophical question uncertainty extends to the very roots of the problem. We must always be prepared to learn something totally new.” Laszlo did discover something entirely new – the theory of the information field – after immersing himself in a range of areas of study such as cosmology, consciousness studies, quantum physics, metaphysics and various Eastern traditions. The integration of his earlier works with his more recent studies lies behind his explanation of the existence of the Akashic Field. The Akashic Field is a term that refers to an interactive universe communicating in a subtle manner, which connects everything with every other thing everywhere. This is a pure information field where communication takes place without the need for the transportation of physical energy; thus interaction can occur instantaneously regardless of distance and time. Coherence and consciousness are the bases of Laszlo’s Akashic field. He proposed a ‘system theoretic paradigm’, which focuses on a general understanding of the cosmos and the implications for entities such as human beings. This entails the observation and explanation of human and cosmic evolution as viewed in unity or inter-connectedness where macro and micro are essentially interlinked. Laszlo’s philosophical work extends to sociology when describing concurrent worldwide issues closely related to the existence of the Akashic Field. His humanist ideals are evidenced by his efforts to help humans understand the context and causes for their recent challenges and the possibilities that may lie ahead. Ervin Laszlo’s half-century of exceptional philosophical work gives us the most coherent picture of the nature of the world to date.

This Companion provides a review of global value chains (GVCs) and the megatrends that are shaping them and will continue to reshape them in deep-set trajectories of change over the next few decades. Megatrends herald both challenges and opportunities. With the growing interest among business leaders and researchers in GVCs, this is a reference work which fills a gap in current literature by focusing on the new features of GVCs, including the shift of global purchasing power towards developing economies, the significance of emerging technologies and data analytics, the increasing tensions between globalisation and de-globalisation, and the role of micro-multinationals, start-up entrepreneurs, the public sector and middle markets in a fast-changing global economy. The early chapters are essentially intradisciplinary in character, with the first seeking to explore some historical aspects of GVCs. Subsequent chapters cover the theory and practice of operations and supply chain management, emerging supply chain technologies, and the impact of inter-firm collaboration across sectors and economies. The final chapters take a more interdisciplinary approach and examine topics at the interface of GVCs with the economy, society, culture and politics. This comprehensive handbook provides a timely analysis of leading-edge global megatrends and practices in one volume.

This Eranos Yearbook covers the events of the first three years since the relaunching of the Eranos Foundation in 2006. The themes of the conferences – ‘The Modernities of East and West’ or ‘Perspectives on Violence and Aggression’, for example – reflect both the long and prestigious tradition of the Eranos Foundation and the relevance of Eranos to the present. The prominent international speakers succeeded in making fruitful contributions in addressing some of the most pressing questions of our times. The conferences were held under the presidency of John van Praag (2005-2009), to whom the Eranos Foundation is indebted for having conducted this major endeavor. Contents: 2006 Eranos Conference Eranos Reborn 2007 Eranos Conference The Modernities of East and West 2007 Fetzer at Eranos Conference Emerging Images of Humanity – Exploring Conscious Participation in Emergent Processes 2008 Eranos Conference Perspectives on Violence and Aggression A Presentation from the 2008 Pacifica at Eranos Conference The Legacy Tour of Zürich and Eranos, Ascona, Switzerland

In a fast-moving global industry, how can anyone know what the next trend will be? Fashion Trends: Analysis and Forecasting offers a clear pathway into the theory and practice of forecasting fashion, using professional case studies to demonstrate each technique and concept. This revised edition includes an updated model of the fashion trend analysis and forecasting process and expanded coverage of social media, digital influencers, sustainability and social responsibility. There are also first-hand visual materials relating to forecasts from leading firms. With the rise of individualism and concern for the sustainable world, the authors also walk you through the 'end of fashion' and what comes next, including: recycled and upcycled fashion, garment rental, subscription services, the circular economy, transparency and traceability, and the role of forecasting in encouraging sustainable lifestyles. Key topics – The characteristics of an innovation – The influence of consumer groups – Long- and short-term fashion forecasting – Sociocultural factors and their influence on trends – Fashion professionals' roles in creating and supporting trends – Consumer and industry trends accelerating product innovation and diffusion – Changing trend forecasting formats – The influence of trend forecasting on business decisions

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are extensively used in industry to perform automation tasks, with manufacturers offering a variety of PLCs that differ in functions, program memories, and the number of inputs/outputs (I/O). Not surprisingly, the design and implementation of these PLCs have long been a secret of manufacturers. Unveiling the mysteries of PLC technology, Building a Programmable Logic Controller with PIC16F648A Microcontroller explains how to design and use a PIC16F648A-microcontroller-based PLC. The author first described a microcontroller-based implementation of a PLC in a series of articles published in Electronics World magazine between 2008 and 2010. This book is based on an improved version of the project, including: Updates to the hardware configuration, with a smaller CPU board and two I/O extension boards that now support 16 inputs and 16 outputs instead of 8 An increased clock frequency of 20 MHz Improvements to several macros Flowcharts to help you understand the macros (functions) In this book, the author provides detailed explanations of hardware and software structures. He also describes PIC Assembly macros for all basic PLC functions, which are illustrated with numerous examples and flowcharts. An accompanying CD contains source files (.ASM) and object files (.HEX) for all of the examples in the book. It also supplies printed circuit board (PCB) (Gerber and .pdf) files so that you can have the CPU board and I/O extension boards produced by a PCB manufacturer or produce your own boards. Making PLCs more easily accessible, this unique book is written for advanced students, practicing engineers, and hobbyists who want to learn how to build their own microcontroller-based PLC. It assumes some previous knowledge of digital logic design, microcontrollers, and PLCs, as well as familiarity with the PIC16F series of microcontrollers and w