> ***what new trends should we be aware of?

Internet 2 (wireless) - and Hollywood commandeering (or trying to) digital filmmaking entrepreneurship. I can't think of who - but a Hollywood big wig said recently to congress "I don't want what happened to music to happen to film" I believe he was addressing downloads, but in reality the real fear is that there will be entrepreneurs who won't be shackled by the jerks holding the switch to the green light. A veritable Puffy or Master P of film will rise up, giving way to programming independent of traditional media conglomerates.

Ultimately, this is the capitalists' issue w/ the internet in general - a production of media outside "established" sources, i.e. outside already fat pockets. My personal fear is that Hollywood & the FTC will gear up together to make it illegal to produce media outside "established vendors". At any rate, their gross spending on bs artists is what has hurt their numbers, but they've successfully convinced lawmakers (and to an extent the general pop) that it's those damned dl-ers fault.

On another note - with the destruction of the school system playing out in slo-mo right now, buy stock in online educational companies/products. This will truly be the wave of the future. NY state is already looking at elimination of guaranteed education past 8th grade, so if you want a diploma, you may have to get it thru "distance learning"

> ***what should we be wary of?

Cloning. Right now they're saying it's use will be for regenerative purposes, organs, etc. I believe it will be used to further marginalize minority groups (incl the poor) - it will be another treatment only the elite will be able to afford - creating "unnatural selection"

> ***cashless society?
>
>Economy - the old 'sweat of our brow' jobs are going away,
>quickly, and we need to be sure that we aim for the right
>targets, as opposed to wasting efforts.

I agree but there are still trades and vocations that we will still require. "If all the kids go into computer programming and none into plumbing, neither our programs nor our pipes will hold water" (forgot where that quote came from).

We do need more ownership/financial savvy - but we also need to be open-minded about the skill-set from which we build wealth in the community (speaks to your anecdote)

> ***impact of globalization? (do we take a principled stand,
>form pragmatic alliances, or work blindly in ignorance of
>short term or strategic self-interest?).

This is tough - it's almost impossible to get people to believe some of the things that are going on in other areas besides their back yard. Are you asking what will happen our what we should try to make happen? If it's the latter - I'd say we need to form pragmatic alliances, yet be more open to where those alliances may come from, e.g. technological advances going on in Africa (Ghana for example) - or even other parts of the diaspora.

It takes a bit of an adventurous spirit entrepreneurially - but I think necessary to a successful future - we have to think globally - not locally with global interests.

> ***increasing need for education to even participate in economy

See 1st answer

> ***ownership (plight of black farmers? new class of landlords)

Regardless of ownership, I think the consumerism of farming in general is going to have to change - farmers receive nominal relief from time to time - hell - black farmers had to sue for it - but they along with any other farmer is finding it hard to compete without "creative" sourcing (GEFs). Consumer access affects consumer behavior. How can we properly support?

> ***supplemental education in financial matters (this isn't
>taught at all in public schools, but we definitely need to
>do something on our own. work w/ kids, volunteer to do
>credit counseling, educate folks on homebuying. investment
>vs. saving).

Agreed - we'll have to do alot of our own schooling on a helluva lot more in addition really really soon.

>Society - rapid changes here. race remains the daily drama.
>do we see us getting past that (mongrelization of culture -
>whites have long looked to blacks in US for cutting edge for
>pop culture, but is degree of wiggerism (i'll find a better
>word) today somehow more endemic or lasting?

no - and there will remain a separation of cultures, whether appropriated at different times by the mainstream or not, as long as there is no social homogeneity - separated racially until class becomes the singular divide BUT that ain't happenin' no time soon

>*** multiculturalism - how do we deal w/ imminent (second
>biggest minority status)?
>
>leadership- will we ever get past the all the eggs in one
>basket approach we've favored for so long (which is so very,
>very prone to disruption by assassination and other dirty
>tricks in the interest of democracy).

I'll smush these 2 together - again - without social homogeneity - black/latinos remain the oppressed majority - our political platforms often share issues. Education here is also the key - using our "connection" to educate ourselves AND our leaders on our needs/desires as people, not just people-of-color, I think will serve to smooth relations and allow us to work together ... probably the only chance for either of our survival.

Peace

"Internet killed the video star" - Sifl & Olly

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