>This community is sort of like people building homes on the slope of Mt Vesuvius; >we know it might erupt, but we analyse the risks and decide the benefits outweigh >them. Meanwhile various gurus and prophets go around saying "the end is nigh!" and >the rest of it, then screaming "I told you so!" when there is a little tremor, >implying that nobody else knew it might happen rather than that people took the risk.

I like your sort of simile, but I'd expand it to say that there are others who mention there are beautiful homes being built, with views just as or even more spectacular, in communities both north and south of the lava flow and the tremors. Life in these communities is quite a bit more complex (with some of the ups and downs that complexity entails) but the vast expanse of the landscape can be extremely fascinating and seductive. What's more, the landscapes for future communities promise to be even more seductive. It will not require all of the old tools be left behind. They will work fine, but the new ones will be very attreactive. It will take a bit for the surroundings to feel familiar. They aren't the "I told you so" type. They just welcome the efforts of creative people to improve their craft and their product and believe in succeeding.

John