LEARN THE THREE NEW R'S 

In a world moving so fast that many people are already frightened, few know where to go. It isn't easy. The dazzling array of computer, video, electronic, and lifestyle magazines is making life even more confusing.

And that's what it is. This "New World" is already becoming so strange that compared to the land Columbus discovered our new world makes his practically Picadilly Square.

Like the "Stranger in a Strange Land" depicted in Heinlein's classic novel, his former world had changed so much. He didn't now know the language (Here today: The 3 R's RAM, ROM, RUN) never mind understand the nuances, the hieroglyphics, the music (Thriller") or the mores (terrorist activity) of his time. A similar phenomenon happened at the turn of the century when most of the North American population was illiterate. Those that did not develop writing skills could not keep up socially or economically with the rest, and therefore could not profit from the new emerging technologies (steam and internal combustion engines) of the Industrial Age.

The social changes, in many ways, were more of a shock than the new hardware. (Women working! Children not following in their father's footsteps. Really!) It was not surprising then to find an increase in the suicide rate. For those who resisted the change the change was even more frightening. They no longer could keep up with their contemporaries. They couldn't understand the new language. Strange writings took the place of familiar barber poles and chemist symbols. Many took the easy way out. It became a household word that lasts even till today. It was there illuminating every home. "He took the gas pipe." Some chose suicide as protection from the technology of the day.

It will not be that different this time.

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