2007

Each year, the Edge foundation poses a question to thinkers around the globe. For 2007, they wanted to know: "What are you optimistic about?" The answers reveal a wide swath of positive thinking in the scientists, philosophers, and all-around brainy types who responded. Psychologist Philip Zimbardo, the guy behind the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment, expressed hope in how communities will respond to global health threats and international terrorism. Composer Brian Eno gushed about the empowering influence of the Internet. And when evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins talked about nailing down "the theory of everything," he exposed a Pollyanna streak. Philosopher Rebecca Goldstein, linguist Steven Pinker, and "Guns, Germs, and Steel" author Jared Diamond also weighed in. Apparently, "pessimism is hugely misleading." So here's to optimism in 2007.