Editorial June 17, 1996 Issue

Knowledge workers and the need to elevate society

Russ Gerber

Who are the "knowledge workers"? According to analysts of today's ever-evolving workforce, they are people who use information technology to identify and solve problems. Among those considered to be knowledge workers there are research scientists, design engineers, software analysts, and biotechnology researchers. Also, lawyers, public relations specialists, investment bankers, management consultants, financial and tax consultants, architects, strategic planners, marketing specialists, film producers, art directors, publishers, writers, editors, and journalists. This is not only a diverse group of workers but an influential one as well, according to Jeremy Rifkin, author of The End of Work. He writes, "They are the creators, manipulators, and purveyors of the stream of information that makes up the postindustrial, post-service global economy."^{The End of Work (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1995), p. 174 .}

What Mr. Rifkin and other labor trend watchers point out is that in the information age, with a high-tech global economy, the importance of this group seems certain to increase. At the same time, they say that many other sectors of the workforce will gradually be phased out as our world becomes more and more automated. Although much of what Mr. Rifkin has to say about the future of work is disturbing, his overriding message is that now is the time to prepare ourselves and our institutions for a new phase in history. Now, he contends, is when we should begin to devise and develop fresh alternatives to the traditional view of work and workers.

He's right. This is a transitional period (some call it a revolutionary one), and each of us should take advantage of the opportunity to learn what his or her role and responsibilities are in the emerging era. Trend watching and conventional wisdom strongly suggest that, as society develops, one will need to understand and master the increasing volume, flow, and diversity of human knowledge.

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