Personal Futures
Edited by Hope Cristol
Surviving a Dangerous Future
If you are running short of things to worry about, you now can turn to A Paranoid's
Ultimate Survival Guide by science writers Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas Svarney.
In breezy prose the authors warn of lightning from the clear blue sky, solar flares
knocking out electricity, blood clots from long airplane flights, and other ostensibly
unlikely occurrences. The good news is that there are ways to live through or avoid many
potential perils.
To start, do background research on your environs. For instance, Pacific
Coast dwellers should be aware that about 80% of tsunamis occur in the Pacific Ocean--a
result of the ocean's sheer size and higher percentage of earthquake and volcanic
activity. If you live along the coastline or low-lying areas inland, know the warning
signs of a tsunami (ground rumblings, a rapid rise or fall of the ocean), evacuation
routes, places to meet up with family if separated, and how to turn off water, gas, and
electricity. In the case of tsunamis, volcanoes, tornadoes, and perhaps all other
dangerous natural phenomena, don't stick around to watch; it may be the last thing you'll
ever see.
The authors' bottom line: Take the initiative to learn the nature of all
threats in your midst--from bacteria on the kitchen sponge to ticks in the backyard--so
you can take appropriate action to fend off preventable disaster.
Source: A Paranoid's Ultimate Survival Guide: Dust
Mites to Meteorites, Tsunamis to Ticks, Killer Clouds to Jellyfish, Solar Flares to
Salmonella by Patricia Barnes-Svarney and Thomas Eugene Svarney. Prometheus Books,
www.prometheusbooks.com. 2002. 288 pages. Paperback. $18. Order online.
Being Your Own Boss
Millions of workers have left corporate America to pursue small-business ownership not for
the money, but for the lifestyle benefits that going solo affords. In Not Just a Living,
a practical guide to self-employment, freelance writer Mark Henricks shares start-up
stories and experience-driven advice from "lifestyle entrepreneurs" in a range
of fields.
Indulging your passions, having more control over your time, and being
your own boss are just a few of the many perks that come with lifestyle entrepreneurship.
But not all disgruntled office workers should quit their desk jobs for the seemingly
greener pastures of self-employment, the author warns. Working for yourself may be
personally fulfilling, but the first years can be financially stifling--particularly if
you have little capital at the outset. "You will need to earn about 6% more than you
did in your old job just to break even on take-home income," Henricks says.
That income could be elusive if you're not technologically prepared for
self-employment, so Henricks lists the basic technologies of many small companies:
computers, printers, copiers and scanners, fax machines, and wireless communications.
Before buying one of each, however, assess your precise needs for the business, keeping in
mind not only price and size, but also the time you're willing to invest in learning how
to master the glimmering gadgets that beckon from storefront windows.
Henricks's other tips include how to assess whether self-employment is
right for you, how to choose the right industry, how to finance your fledgling business,
and how to ultimately end your involvement when you feel the time has come.
Source: Not Just a Living: The Complete Guide to
Creating a Business That Gives You a Life by Mark Henricks. Perseus Publishing,
www.perseuspublishing.com. 2002. 230 pages. $25. Order online.
Finding a Mate in the 21st Century
Even with at least 15 ways to find your "ideal" mate, it's tough to find a
life partner in a society where standards for companionship are higher than ever, say
futurists Peter Friedlander and Veronique Susset in Finding a Mate in the 21st Century.
The authors address the pros and cons of 15 services in the mating
marketplace, such as marriage brokers/matchmakers, personal ads, singles weekends,
Caribbean winter cruises, and gourmet dining clubs. But before you pack for the Caymans or
hone your soufflé skills, you should first assess with brutal honesty what qualities you
have, what qualities you expect in a partner, and whether you're aiming too high or low.
You should also be aware of age and race statistics to improve your
chances of finding the right mate. For instance, men at age 40 have 34 years of life still
to live, on average, while women have another 39 years, according to the U.S. Census
Bureau. At age 60, life expectancies for males and females are 14 and 19 years,
respectively. These numbers are particularly important to consider among couples with a
significant age gap and among the widowed who feel they cannot face another spousal loss.
When your life-partner search is limited to a narrow list of
demographics (e.g., must be African-American, never-married, Catholic, etc.), knowing the
relevant statistics will shed important light on your odds of dating success. And if the
odds are against you, the authors suggest you reevaluate your priorities and consider
broadening what may be a too-narrow list of ideal-mate criteria. After all, current trends
such as the rise of divorce, interfaith and interracial couples, and premarital
cohabitation defy yesterday's rigid rules for romance.
"It is important to realize that those who reject important trends
in society may pay a high price for their attitude. That price may include loneliness,
rejection by others, and being left with a sense of wonderment about the behavior of other
people," Friedlander and Susset conclude.
Source: Finding a Mate in the 21st Century by
Peter H. Friedlander and Veronique B. Susset. Writers Showcase Press. 2001. $14.95. Order online.
