A book written by Alvin Toffler in 1970, based on an article originally published in Playboy, which describes the condition of “future shock” as a personal perception of “too much change in too short a period of time”. Those of you on your third cell-phone update in as many months may see how the term can be used to define some of our states of mind in 2008.

“Future Shock” is currently being co-opted by a group of

musicians based out of Baltimore, consisting of Dan Deacon, Girl Talk, and countless others you have yet to hear about. A recent sold-out concert at The Starlight Ballroom here in Philly had us comparing the scene, rather suspiciously, to that of a rave. Several patrons sported glow sticks or necklaces and adorning at least one young woman’s neck was a blinking pacifier. We were even asked if we had any x. Perhaps these items of the past help deal with the shock of the present, we couldn’t help noticing how many people had phones that were technologically superior to our own.

Regardless of all clothing and communication devices the music was great and the energy levels of the crowd was better then that of most shows we visit. “Future Shock” is becoming a genre to be reckoned with.