25 Hay Festival

Because no other medium can concentrate in a single place as much information, amusement and knowledge as the printed word can. They are also easier on the eye and to carry around.

Fifty years ago we were worried about being wiped out by nuclear weapons. May be we need a collective fear to worry about. The World fifty years on will be much more symmetric and less West centred. Asia, South America, Africa will have gained their rightful place in world history. Technology will annihilate geography by making transport easier –Startrack technology ( Beam Me Up Scotty !) may become available.

Supper.

Technology has always helped the ‘spirit’ –whatever it means. Religions spread worldwide thanks to sailing technology as well as weapons which helped kings conquer territory to convert people. Technology has helped keep many more of us alive to enjoy this earth than would have been possible –just think how revolutionary agriculture was for the hunters and gatherers.

If restricting my freedom of movement helps the security of my neighbours or fellow travelers as in airtravel, I am willing though not happy. But freedom of speech is not negotiable.

This is the eternal challenge. All culture and all religion has to lose its male preference. All economies have to guarantee equal pay and working conditions. All societies have to treat daughters same as sons .All family property must be equally shared between siblings. Violence against women which starts before birth –female foeticide, and continues throughout their lives has to be punished.

The Communist Manifesto.

I am indifferent as to what it does.

The figure of 100 million may sound high but it is after all one tenth of the population of China or India.There are large countries –Mongolia for instance with a population of below 10 million, or Australia whose population is less than that of Mumbai which are ‘empty’ lands, All across Central Asia and even in Africa there is room. The difficulty is of the preparation for climatic adaptation of the refugees and cultural adaptation for the refugees and their hosts. But we do need a global plan for this eventuality when it comes as it is sure to do.

Yes. If you ask why then you become unhappy soon.

More people live where the newly emerging superpowers are and prosperity will spread more evenly across the globe among countries than has been the case for the last half millennium.

No
No.

No
Relax; as long as people can talk to each other new languages will be invented like tweeterspeak.

Habits and time to shop.

Yes
Among other things ,yes.

As they have been learning for the last few thousand years- to enjoy each other.

Gender discrimination.

Do not create dualities where they are unhelpful. Both approaches are required as they complement each other.

No; nor necessary. The future will look after itself; don’t have immortality syndrome.

It is difficult to make more than about ten people happy by your own conduct but you can make a lot more unhappy if you misbehave.

Those under ten who are yet to be leaders etc.

I would only give you what I don’t love and that would not be good for your library.