Identifying and tackling key challenges.

The continual need to meet the future's challenges head-on is itself a challenge. What exactly are the most critical challenges facing us? And how do we prepare for them?

In this issue, James Martin--"guru of the Information Age" and author of such seminal books as The Wired Society (1977) and

Honing in on the challenges of defusing terrorism and saving the planet is Israeli futurist Tsvi Bisk. In "The Energy Project: Independence by 2020" he presents a compelling scenario of the power we have to alter the future by altering our energy choices. (See page 25.)

Our Fortieth Anniversary

With this issue, THE FUTURIST turns 40 years old. It is appropriate to take a look back at how it all began and to reflect on why the search for a better understanding of the future is important both at the individual level and for the broader society.

Editor Edward Cornish, the founding president of the World Future Society, offers the first of a series of memoirs on the fears and hopes that drove him to seek the support of others who could benefit from a magazine devoted to tracking--and managing--the trends shaping our collective futures. The first essay ends with the beginning--of the Society and the magazine. (See page 50.) In upcoming issues, Ed will continue the story through the early days of the Society and the vital niche it began to carve in the public psyche.

As we here at WFS continue our reflections of our past (and our prospects and goals for the future), we invite you to share your own thoughts and experiences with the World Future Society and THE FUTURIST. Write to me at the e-mail address below.

--Cynthia G. Wagner

Managing Editor

cwagner@wfs.org