Re: Starlife Friends on World Party

Dear Hans Starlife,

        As the author of that stupid book, I just want to say that I
applaud what all of you at Starlife are trying to achieve, and I would
appreciate a chance to subscribe to the WCPN.

        I don't know whether you have actually read my book, but it has
often been misunderstood as a set of predictions of the future.  There are
no predictions in A SHORT HISTORY OF THE FUTURE, only scenarios of
possibilities, both grim and happy.  The "Catastrophe of 2044," a
North-South world war, is not inevitable.  But it is possible;  we would
be foolish to ignore such a possibility, especially in light of the
systemic logic of the modern world-system, which has generated many global
wars since at least the 17th Century.  In any event, A SHORT HISTORY OF
THE FUTURE is not a counsel of despair:  it is a warning of what could
happen, if the human race is not able to build a collectively rational
world order;  it also offers images of desirable alternative futures--
a Red Earth and a House of Earth--brimming with hope for a wiser and more
just posterity.

        W. Warren Wagar

> c.  should the WP make an effort to prevent catastrophes such as warfare 
>among core powers or global ecological collapse, or should we
> rather concentrate on being ready to pick up the pieces after such 
>catastrophes happen (as in the scenario in Wagar’s Short History).
> 
> Ignore that stupid book! If you like that book, you have no visions, no 
>optimism, and no hope. It is very destructive thinking. It is not
> the kind of thing I would support. Personally, I would continue to work 
>for peace, cooperation and a sustainable future no matter how bad