soft-industrial-revolution
A period in the late medieval era marked by gradual technological innovations like water mills and printing that collectively transformed economic and social structures.
1 chapter across 1 book
Empathic Civilization: The Race to Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis (2009)Jeremy Rifkin
This chapter explores the transformative period of the late medieval era characterized as a 'soft industrial revolution,' highlighting technological advancements such as water mills and printing that catalyzed social and intellectual change. It traces the emergence of humanism, emphasizing shifts in literacy, individual identity, and cultural development that laid the groundwork for modern consciousness. The chapter also examines the evolving family structures, economic systems, and philosophical ideas that contributed to the birth of a more self-aware and interconnected society.