Author and information-age guru James Martin to speak on 'The Meaning of the 21st Century,' Sept. 20

MIDDLEBURY, Vt.- The James Martin 21st Century School at Oxford University is a hub of critical thinking for many of today’s foremost researchers whose collective mission is to identify opportunities to influence policy in areas critical to world issues. Founder James Martin will speak at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20, in the Robert A. Jones ‘59 House conference room at Middlebury College. Sponsored by the college’s Rohatyn Center for International Affairs and the environmental affairs office, the free lecture will highlight Martin’s experiences and perspectives on global change.

Known as the guru of the information age, Martin is widely recognized as an authority on the social and commercial ramifications of computers and technology. He is also well known for the accuracy of his predictions about technology’s impact on modern society. In “The Wired Society,” written in 1977 and nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, Martin provided remarkably accurate descriptions of the use of computers and the Internet. “Technology’s Crucible,” published in 1987, depicts bombs used by Arab terrorists and a major terrorist attack on New York City in 1998.

His most recent book, “The Meaning of the 21st Century: Transformation and Survival,” focuses on the rapidly worsening problems of the planet - and the practical actions that can be taken to alleviate them. These actions, he believes, eventually will lead to radical changes in civilizations.

Under his guidance and leadership, the James Martin 21st Century School is committed to encouraging those involved in global research of all disciplines to work in an integrated way, bringing together leading scholars and practitioners to focus on the same theme but from different perspectives.

Martin has received an honorary doctorate from Oxford University, as well as from colleges and universities on all seven continents.

The Rohatyn Center for International Affairs is located in the Robert A. Jones ‘59 House on Hillcrest Road off College Street (Route 125). For more information, contact Charlotte Tate, Middlebury College assistant director of the Rohatyn Center for International Affairs, at 802-443-5795 or tate@middlebury.edu.