[epigone73]

Why is sci-fi fairly conservative in portraying the future?

Three reasons:

1) Fiction must be, at least in principle, believable. people have an ear for bunk, and generally bunk is dull;

2) In a perfect world, nothing is very interesting, really. Strife, etc., is the basis of a good story;

3) If most of previous human experience shows man to be a fool, people to be reliably greedy, and warfare to be almost an instinctual behavior, we have little right to expect that the future will look much differently.

[RebelTex]

"God is with the army with the largest battalions."

I think you may have missed some important chapters in the Bible concerning battles and wars fought by the Hebrews.
History shows that there is always an ebb and flow to civilization. I do not believe that we are doomed. I have faith in the American people, our beliefs and values. Though liberal, socialist, and communist views are more vocal, they can not long prevail with the innate good common sense which self-sufficiency and freedom instill.

Perhaps the last few years have brought low tide, but I believe that it is now turning. In fact, this could be a great reawakening of the basic moral, family, and religious values that this country was founded upon.

I suggest you tie a knot in the end of your rope ( you sound like you have reached it and given up all hope) and hang on.

Keep the faith.
FReegards,
RebelTex