Hope and Faith

As a youth in junior high school in Tyler, Texas during the mid-fifties, I read every science fiction book in the city library. There was only one small section of about 50 books. I think everyone would understand the important stimulus this experience had on my interest in the future, duh!

The question is, why did I seek out science fiction in the first place and why did my interest continue though my life? Of course, there were the current events in my life. I was a "duck and cover" teenager, believing that the world might end before I reached adulthood. But I suspect my personal perspective was the biggest factor: I didn't like the world the way it was and wanted to "figure out" how I could make it better. I was hurting and scared. Survival instinct pure and simple!

It's taken me sixty-something years to transform to a more optimistic state of mind, actually a passionate state of mind. Maybe through the wisdom of my varied experiences and learning, I have not only figured out what a better world can be, but more significantly, through the medium of the Web, I have discovered signs of a large community of like-minded people. For the first time in my life, I can justify hope and faith in the future of humanity.

For now, that like-minded community is represented by the World Future Society.

Kenan Doyle Branam
Media Consultant/Presenter