From Industrial Revolution to Access Shock
Four periods of technological change in historical context – and what we can learn
Accelerating Pace
From decades in the Industrial Revolution to months in Access Shock
Same Pattern
Uncertainty → Adaptation → New Opportunities in all periods
Human Skills
What makes us human becomes more important
The history of technological development is a story of completely transformed social structures and new rules in human interaction. When we look back at the major periods that shaped modern society, we see a pattern that repeats: new technology arrives, terrifies old classes, and creates new ones.
The last period, “Access Shock”, is based on my theory that expert knowledge is becoming accessible to everyone in a very short time.
Speed of change
Industrial Era
Took decades to gain foothold
Electric Age
Took decades, but spread faster than Industrial Revolution
Digital Age
Took 2–3 decades to achieve widespread adoption
Access Shock
Months – new releases transform entire industries with sudden access
| Aspect | Industrial Revolution (18th–19th century)Industrial Era | Electricity & Mass Production (19th–20th century)Electric Age | Computers & Internet (late 20th century)Digital Age | Access Shock (2022–)*Access Shock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Speed of change | Took decades to gain foothold | Took decades, but spread faster than Industrial Revolution | Took 2–3 decades to achieve widespread adoption | Months – new releases transform entire industries with sudden access |
Which jobs were affected? | Craft jobs, agriculture, textile work | Mechanical work, manual labor, assembly line jobs | Office work, data processing, information dissemination | Knowledge work: law, writing, design, programming, research |
Social impact | Urbanization, labor movement, great inequality initially | Assembly line work, higher living standards long-term, persistent class division | Globalization, new industries (IT), new work forms (remote work) | Expert knowledge loses value as competitive advantage ("the equalization") |
Labor market response | Protests (e.g., machine breakers), establishment of labor unions | Division of labor, assembly lines, more organized class struggle | Retraining, computer literacy, new professions (e.g., system administrators, web designers) | "Usage race" – demand for continuous learning and skills in effective technology application |
Core of new jobs | Machine operation, factory work | Electrical engineering, home electrification | Software development, digital markets, information technology | Human skills in focus: Judgment, trust, creativity and ethical responsibility |
Psychological effects | Fear of unemployment and lost traditions | Insecurity, but also hope for stability and better living conditions | Technology anxiety, but also optimism about increased freedom | "Professional grief": loss of identity and purpose when knowledge loses its value |
Risks | Poor working conditions, pollution, dissolution of traditional communities | Job loss due to automation, consumerism, monotony in production | Digital divide, privacy violations, cybercrime | Misinformation, bias in AI, increased inequality if not addressed |
Lessons learned | Adaptation takes time but creates new opportunities | Social safety net and education are crucial | Those who adopt new skills thrive | In a state of loss, human skills must be sharpened to find new balance |
What can we learn?
Common Patterns
When we examine these four periods together, it becomes clear that each has its own unique characteristics, but they all share the same basic pattern: new technology creates uncertainty, changes the labor market, and requires new thinking.
Access Shock is Different
Access Shock differs from earlier periods in that it concerns knowledge rather than physical labor. This could be an even more radical change as it touches the very foundation of what we consider “expert knowledge.”
Lessons for our time
In all periods, those who adopted new skills thrived best.
Societies that invested in safety nets and education fared best.
When machines take over, what makes us human becomes more important.
Although the pace has increased, it still takes time for society to fully adapt.
* Note: The “Access Shock (2022–)” column is based on my theory that expert knowledge suddenly becomes accessible to everyone, creating imbalance that requires new rules of the game. The comparison with industrial revolutions is a theoretical extension; the theory more closely parallels the Gutenberg printing press and the internet. The analysis reflects the situation as it appeared to me in the autumn of 2025.