In the past year I have found that framing conversations about certain topics with the context of being of the 20^th century or of the 21^st century to be clarifying for most people.

I have written extensively about humanity being in transition between the Information Age and the Shift Age.  Those who have heard me speak or read my writings come to understand and accept this.  That said, this is a higher concept than the simple reality of the calendar.  No one can dispute the numerical fact that we are 10% into the 21^st Century, unless you want to debate whether …

In the 20 years after WWII Japan was the source of cheap goods for the U.S. and the world.  In the 1950s, “Made in Japan” meant cheap stuff that was showing up in a lot of product categories.  Then in the late 1960s and through the 1970s quality technology brands emerged; Sony, Panasonic and then Toyota and Datsun [now Nissan].  These brands changed American and global buying habits and often led the way down new paths of consumption such as VCRs, mobile music players and fuel efficient cars.

By the 1980s the major Japanese brands dominated major markets and product categories …