I remember when I was in 2nd Grade, Ms. Gaines asked the class to write an essay about what we thought the world would look like in the year 2010. Ironically, it was the first time I ever suffered from writer’s block. I was so young at the time, I didn’t really understand the significance of what she was asking us to do. Sure, I’d read some sci-fi comics and seen snippets of E.T. and RoboCop, but all that was make-believe, right? In those days, computers were the size of ovens and the Internet was a distant “thing” schools dreamed of being able to implement into the curriculum. (I don’t think email existed yet, because I remember snail mail vividly!) Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that by the time 2010 rolled around that cellphones would be as thin as paper and as light as air. Or that computers would be so portable they’d fit comfortably in a briefcase. Thanks to technology, it’s hard for people to disappear. PDAs, texts, emails, tweets, social networks, wireless access and the like, are forcing us to communicate with others whether we want to or not. Perhaps what I would have been most astonished to learn back then was that three identical letters (WWW) would hold the answers to all my questions, the solutions to all my problems and the ability to allow me to learn about different cultures, theories and ideas without ever having to step one foot outside my door. I would have laughed off anyone that suggested all those things were possible. But, as I write this with 2010 on the horizon, I can’t help but wonder what the future has in store for humanity. We are an innovative species that thrives on invention and constant evolution. The moment we stop, life loses its magic. I, for one, plan to keep moving hi-speed ahead into the new decade and beyond. And someone please invent a time machine, already! I’m looking forward to going back to Ms. Gaines’ classroom and finishing that essay…
Jorge Arauz Editor-in-Chief
