Parable of the Sower

[john.rico]

Have you read this book? I?m just reading it and it seems to me that we are heading into depicted conditions (low energy, no cars, collapsing infrastructure, police force completely ineffective, pseudo-totalitarian, but weak government, widespread poverty, crime...). Even the dates seem to be fitting (2025). Very interesting. Recommended.

[SherryMayo]

I found a thoughful article on the internet called "A few rules for predicting the future" by the author of Parable of the Sower

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/ ... 1747/print

Definitely worth a look for peakniks - some words of wisdom within.

[isenhand]

So why try to predict the future at all if it's so difficult, so nearly impossible? Because making predictions is one way to give warning when we see ourselves drifting in dangerous directions. Because prediction is a useful way of pointing out safer, wiser courses. Because, most of all, our tomorrow is the child of our today. Through thought and deed, we exert a great deal of influence over this child, even though we can't control it absolutely. Best to think about it, though. Best to try to shape it into something good. Best to do that for any child.

By Octavia E. Butler

I just thought that sumed up what we have been trying to do.

[julianj]

I read this book a few years ago, and thought it was great! Some male SF writers seem to make catastrophe quite fun (no names mentioned, John WYndham for one )

I felt Octavia's book was horribly realistic, yet had a glimmer of hope.

Incidentally she died at a youngish age recently, sadly.