Interesting and unsettling–as futurists often are. My only question is at the end when you say “In the future it is likely that profit will be built into the corporate model because corporations will control human value without human preferences.” I wonder what that model would look like? And then I have a follow up: from whence do…[Read more]

What a refreshing and helpful way to start the day. Your description of Jane Pauley’s voice is eloquent.

National unity does seem like an impossible dream. It doesn’t feel like Americans are on the same team anymore, and I wonder when that happened. I could blame certain parties, but that does not advance the cause of unity. But if certain parties would be more reasonable, unity would be easier to achieve!

I think one in 500 is extremely generous if you are looking at the entire population. Part of the problem is the almost total lack of Christian education at every level. I understand, though, the grasping after old time religion to try to remake our country the way it used to be. (When we were all white and Judeo-Christian?) But I don’t…[Read more]

Your description of a compassionate United States is a glimpse of what peace on earth could look like. It seems like such a hopeless dream–but it is not rocket science. It is achievable if we had the vision and will to do it. It may not happen anytime soon, but it can happen, it is not impossible– and that gives me hope in this Christmas…[Read more]

What a concise and cogent trip through the decades of our lifetime. I guess the late 40’s and 50’s were a halftime of sorts, too, after the devastation of WWII. Maybe little half time breaks in history are all we ever get. I think we don’t always realize how much of our life experience is dictated by the era we happen to be born into. Or how…[Read more]

Those who are now over 30 whose anthem was “The times they are a changin” may rue the day they thought change was the harbinger of a brave new world. Who knew it would lead to this? Probably lots of people–but nothing anyone can do to stem the tide of a rising sea. Change will not be held back, but the hope is that it can be diverted by divers…[Read more]

You are not grandfathered out, you are grandfathered in! Go Team Nova!

This is good proactive advice. I just got an email from Al Gore asking me to sign a petition about Arctic oil. Done! I would also gladly sign a petition to get the housework done!

We can only hope, like the children of Israel long ago, that a Messiah will come to save us from our dangerous leaders–someone with wisdom, vision and compassion. Someone like Jimmy Carter–who we crucified.

Good overview of multiple problems. I like the idea that they can be addressed simultaneously–the same way that environmental issues and job creation can be addressed by investing in green solutions.

Maybe human history is mostly made up of ‘nice days’, and you only see the catastrophes when you take the long view. Maybe there is much to be said for the short view!

I’m with Chicken Little.

This is almost too big to ponder. We hardly know the myths we live by, as we do not think of them as myths. Maybe this is one of your points. It makes me examine my own life for clues about the structures I have built. We think the entire culture shares our mythos, but of course that is not true. It is most obviously not true as we enter this…[Read more]

At the end of this very bleak litany of abuses, which are very real, Mariner has some good suggestions. They are probably meant to be ironic, but getting rid of junk, preparing for the tornado, securing finances and having a good time seem like practical ideas to embrace. I would exchange the Valium for a long walk, as it has more benefits…[Read more]

It is nice to think that in the midst of the turmoil in our lives and in this nation, there can still be moments of bliss. We should make a habit of looking for them. Turning off the tv is a good start. Computers, too–but then how would we hear from the mariner? Thank you for sharing a quietly hopeful message during the holiday season.

Well, you got my attention! This post has an intriguing title, but no information about a financial bomb shelter. Is there such a thing? What would it look like? Or do we just need a regular bomb shelter??

Thank you for this uplifting holiday message!

Mariner did not rejoice in the election of Jimmy Carter? And Barack Obama?

If only the state of Fear had voting rights — because there are enough of us living there to swing an election!