Anticipation
We salute the basic human urge to remember the future
- By Terence Monmaney
- Smithsonian magazine, July-August 2010, Subscribe
We’re honored that President Barack Obama has contributed to this 40th anniversary issue about breakthroughs, trends and events likely to shape our world over the next 40 years. In his essay, “Why I’m Optimistic”, he praises Americans’ “enduring faith, even in the darkest hours, that brighter days lie ahead.”
To get a fix on Americans’ attitudes about the coming decades, we collaborated with the nonpartisan Pew Research Center on an opinion poll (“Americans Look to 2050,”). Most people surveyed believed in the power of science to improve their lives, yet they expressed concern about the environment, as well as anxiety about population growth and immigration.
That anxiety isn’t shared by Joel Kotkin, a journalist specializing in demography, who argues in “Ready, Set, Grow” that an increase of 100 million people in the United States by 2050 will be beneficial. George Friedman, a geopolitical analyst, also defies received wisdom, saying the nation’s pre-eminence, far from ending, has only just begun (“The U.S. Stays on Top”).
When Smithsonian debuted in 1970, the announcement said (please forgive the masculine usage) it would “probe Man’s disasters, from oil spills to famine, clarify his predicaments, from over-population to pollution, and join battle for his improvement.” And so we do. In these pages and on our Web site, Smithsonian.com, you’ll learn about threats to oceans and wildlife. But you’ll also learn about efforts to ease hunger, disease and poverty. “I am filled with hope,” says Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (“Saving Lives”).
Scientists say the capacity to imagine the future is one of the most salient human qualities, separating us from other animals and even our fellow primates. The idea behind this special issue is to get a better feel for the consequences of what humanity is up to, and to anticipate whatever’s next. Smithsonian set out 40 years ago to “fashion guideposts for today and tomorrow.” That pursuit seems more pressing than ever.
Terence Monmaney is the magazine's executive editor.
Subscribe now for more of Smithsonian's coverage on history, science and nature.
Comments (3)
“When you’re wounded and left on the Afghanistan plain
And the women come out to cut up what remains
Just roll to you rifle and blow out your brains,
And go to your Gawd like a soldier -
A Soldier of the Queen.”
I have occasionally had the privilege of reading your wonderful magazine, when a copy is sent to me by my daughter, who lives in Washington, DC. The issue that I currently have is July/August, 2010, - your celebration (and congratulations ) of your 40th year of publication Of particular interest to me was your “Anticipation - the 40 things you need to know!” Particularly number 18 -concerning Afghanistan.
However, I do believe that your limit of 40 years is somewhat unattainable. The history of what is now Afghanistan goes back to an untold number of attempts to control the country.
The maunders of the Middle and Far East failed, countries on the Silk Road, as did a great may countries over the years, failed to subdue Afghanistan . In recent years attempt so subjugate Afghanistan, counties such as Portugal, Spain, France, England. From 1979 to 1989 Russia tried and failed, and lost an estimated 15000 troops .
Under the current NATO attempt, Canada has been active for almost a decade, with the loss of over 150 military personnel. Fortunately, our current Government is withdrawing our fighting forces by mid 2011. That will leave only the United States to fight in the country, and - will finally have to admit that there can be no peace - ever !
Just as a note of interest - the poem at the start of this letter - was written during an attempt by the British to control Afghanistan. It was written by Rudyard Kipling, and published under a collation of poems as “Barrackroom Ballads.”
The publication material was written between 1892 ad 1898!
Thank you again for your wonderful magazine, and - I hope that you may just enjoy my small contribution.
D. F. Connors
Nanaimo. BC,
Posted by Don Connors on May 28,2011 | 03:40 PM
I read your very extensive and enlightening EDITORIAL. Congratulations! You have revised most important issues for Americans in this unique World of us.
Your Excelent work , however, stimulated my thinking, and I really would like to send you a LETTER TO THE EDITOR, with some additional comments, and areas that you did not touch in your Excellent Article-Editorial.
Where can I send a LETTER TO THE EDITOR that hopefully you will be willing to publish as an ADDITION to all your points in the 40th Anniversary issue ?
Sincerely
Jose Carranza,M.D.
www.pmmedia.com
Posted by Jose Carranza on July 6,2010 | 06:52 PM
The executive editor has done a fine justice to the 40th Anniversary of Smithsonian Magazine. Althogh I live in India, I have been an ardent and almost a regular reader of Smithsonian. Once upon a time while I was younger(I am 69 now)I used to preserve issues.
Smithsonian needs to be introduced to the younger generation so that they can really understand what the values stand for?
Excellent work....
I may or may not be there when Smithsonian completes a century, but my best wishes for providing me the best of words will always remain fresh for "my" SMITHSONIAN...
shyamtare@gmail.com
Posted by Mr.Shyam Tare on July 2,2010 | 12:15 PM