Crisis Prevention as a Business Opportunity (v1,Nov07): For many the enthusiasm and optimism of transitioning into a new millennium (in the western calendar) in the midst of an age of fantastic innovation, integration, and globalization propelled by multiple revolutions in philosophy, science, technology and other fields is dying down. In its place an uncomfortable, even dark foreboding sinks in. Climate change, environmental destruction, radical capitalism, globalized terrorism, the viral & intensely persistent comeback of leaders & movements with totalitarian tendencies, and other forces all seem to point towards an approximation of significant crisis. In the face of such a possibility it is up to those human beings who have decided to face life with optimism, hope, and love to confront crisis in creative, constructive ways. In this sense, it is not a contradiction to anticipate, confront, and seek to prevent crisis in a systemic, sustainable, and strategic way. In this context, it is not only valid but imperative for all social forces, including private business, to participate. For centuries, provoking or contributing to the provocation and consolidation of crisis - economic, military or other - has been central to entrepreneurial profiteers motivated more by money and power than a respect for peace and life. In recent times, reconstruction after major crisis, particularly after war, has also become a recognized and even respected industry. It is now time to recognize the multiple, albeit dispersed forces focused on crisis prevention and mitigation and to begin formalizing the emergent industry and business of crisis prevention as a critical means to addressing the multiple and serious challenges that human beings and so many other living species increasingly face.
