Bill, I see I haven't properly expressed myself. I didn't mean to imply there is some reason for optimism, only that the misery of humankind is self imposed. We have the means to develop world-wide utopia but lack the will to do it. We as a species seem to prefer nationalism and short-term self interest. It may be in the genetic nature of homo sapiens to self destruct. It often seems that way.

There may be no easy answers but there are answers. To dismiss them out of hand because they can't be immediately put in place seems tragically short-sighted to me.

      - Mark