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Summary: Light thinking for a light mood
Review: This is one of the first books I've picked up in a long time where I didn't even bother to skim to the end. If you want to hear about a rosy view for the next 10 years then buy this book. If you want to know what will be fertilizing this growth period stay well clear of this book. The author makes some sound growth assessments based upon generational birth and attitude cycles. However, he has a tendency to believe every historical cycle will repeat itself without any analysis of why this is so. The book is filled with sweeping comments like every XX years there is a revolution in travel, communication, etc. He doesn't explain what the historical significance of the cycles are, or more importantly, why they will continue. Also suspect, are the milestones presented as the proof of these cycles. All in all this book left me with no better understanding of any specific growth opportunities in the coming decade or any solid reason to rely upon these growth predictors. Top that off with an execeptionally tiresome pace and this book is probably the least thought provoking I've purchased in years.
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Summary: Lots of Baseless technical facts
Review: The arguments presented are not very technically sound in my opinion
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Summary: Could not put it down!
Review: Optimism is a rare commodity. But only exist in successful people. This book was given to me by our CEO, I plan to purchase this book for a few close friends and family. Great book!
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Summary: Refreshing change
Review: With a title like that how can you not read and believe? ;) It brought a little balance to MY reading, which is currently filled with gloom & doom. Its arguments are mostly demographic trending, plus other cycles, some unexplained. Incredibly, after many chapters extolling high tech & the internet and how it will bring vast changes to our lifestyles, it recommends stock investing in old line companies. But, don't worry, be happy!!! Things are going to be great!
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Summary: Vital for futures planning in a near-term world of plenty!
Review: The Roaring 2000's is a tour de force of the benefits of being alive now. Based on the demographic fact of the existing population wave surging because of the Baby Boom, its numbers, its aging, and its economic power, Harry Dent combines the explosive force of the technology revolution and other scientific invention to reveal a world where wealth is no longer scarce. Dent reveals his theory of long-wave technological change on a scale of 500 years that is occurring now--previous changes on this scale were Gutenberg's press and the tall ships that allowed intercontinental exploration and commerce.We have heard of this Baby Boom and its economic effects before in Great Expectations (Landon Y. Jones) and in Generations (Neil Strauss and William Howe). In fact, Herman Kahn and the Hudson Institute forecast the same situation in 1976's The Next 200 Years. Economic cycle theory combined with these scenarios portend prosperity from 1998 to 2009, followed by the eventual downturn fueled by the demographic contraction as the aging Baby Boom generation moves to a grayer age group and shrinks in future buying power. Combined now with the technological and cultural change insights we came to cherish in Toffler's The Third Wave, Dent's work brings vision to ground future planning in a world of plenty, leaving us the choice--and task--of choosing wisely. Important aspects include: A freedom of lifestyle choice based on technology that will allow people to live rural lives and earn big city incomes. Every individual being his own business, as the tools of technology allow the production of knowledge and product cheaply and easily. Flatter, faster businesses needing to resemble servers with employees as browsers, meeting customer needs. Eight Critical Trends: Vastly Expanded Computer Power, Mass Adoption, Inexpensive Appliances, Embedded Home Appliances, Rapid Move to Online, Bandwidth Expansion, Object-oriented Programming, Increased Computer Literacy David S. Bail Doctoral Student in Educational Technology, Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Technology Culver City, California May 12, 1999
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Summary: Insightful and Optimistic on Technology's Economic Impact
Review: This is a very insightful view of what is yet to evolve in network technology and e-commerce. It outlines technology's anticipated impact on the future economy and industries of the U.S. over the next 10 years. Some of what he writes about has already developed. In particular, I was interested in his description of the technological "S Curve" (uses the example of automobile evolvement) and its comparison with the world's newest innovation...the internet. The tapes opened up my creative thoughts on opportunities in IT. It motivated me to embrace and grow with e-commerce and technology. I found it more "to-the-point", interesting, and less-biased than Bill Gates book, Business @ the Speed of Thought.
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Summary: Imaginative and though provoking view of the future.
Review: I think everyone should read this book. It is an imaginative and well thought out view of our future global prospects. It is a view of our history and our future that gives great hope and understanding to the economic realities around us.
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Summary: This book is optimism in a pessimistic world.
Review: Harry Dent has done a valuable service to the average investor who wants to end up above average. I loved the optimism and common sense revealed in the demographic data. However, the downturn mentioned in 2006 - 2008, and lasting several years afterward, left me wondering about the following...The baby boomers will be receiving massive medication and health care as well as spending big bucks on leisure. Why a down turn in view of these two facts? Maybe I am overly optimistic, but I don't see as major a downturn as he predicts at the end of this current cycle. Remember....Grandparents spend big bucks, and those after 2006 - 2008 will still be fueling the greatest economy of all time. Thanks to Mr. Dent for showing us the sunshine for a change.
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Summary: YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK
Review: This is another outstanding book by Harry S. Dent Jr. It is provocative and sometimes startling, yet based on a thorough and solid analysis of demographic trends. This is not extrapolation. Is the future always as we predict it" Not! But it is hard to argue with the trends in The Roaring 2000s. YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. The sections on how the Internet will change our lives are among the best I have seen, and the forecasts for the Dow and real estate will open your eyes (and maybe your pocketbook!). But take heed of his predictions for ten years out and become conservative again. Is this hard to believe? Yes, because we suffer from "stalls" described in "The 2,000 Percent Solution" by Mitchell , Coles and Metz. They keep us from integrating new information, like The Roaring 2000s ideas, to change and reach greater success. What are these stalls? The Communications Stall (This message is confusing), The Disbelief Stall (The Dow at 35,000! Never), The Tradition Stall (We'll invest the way we always have), The Bureaucratic Stall (too many unproductive activities to spend time on these ideas) and The Misconception Stall (It's based on bad data and assumptions). But then, the book goes on to teach you how to achieve many new 2,000 percent solutions to progress at 20 times the rate you thought possible. To really succeed in the 2,000s, you must put these books together: The Roaring 2000s and The 2,000 Percent Solution!
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Summary: Provocative conversation, not gospel; a couple "mistakes"
Review: Provocative and wonderful book but not a simplistic "what to do" that some readers seem to want. Think as you read! That is the whole point in a "network economy" and in times of rapid change. At least two areas that I know well suggest limits and problems. First in a demographics 'driven' theory there is far too little consideration of financial and other implications of retirement (especially with ever weaker pensions, job changes, threats to Social Security). Second discussion of "browser-advisors" at least re Financial Planning is wildly optomistic. The professionals, software, and information systems generally are little short of "horrible" when it comes to custom planning. After running major company's national center for such work and dabbling in Knowlege Engineering I can say it is not only the critical emotional aspect left out here. Suggest antecdote on this point "How We Know What Isn't So" or even "Philosophy in the Flesh" for more philospohical approach. A big difference is often ignored at our peril: data is not information, is not knowlege, is not wisdom. So far the network economy is just beginning to grow from mere data to some information; still two giant steps to go! (If ever possible)
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