I used to write a great deal about hindsight. I then thought that I was on to something – the idea of rethinking past events and putting them in a present events perspective. Lately, I’ve been thinking more about hindsight’s twin, foresight. The two do complement one another, for sure.

Great thinkers have foresight. They also have tenacity. They can foresee things, both art and science related. Those who lack foresight give them a hard time because they lack the capacity to share this vision.

Pamalla and one of the bookcases

An example – I just finished reading a young adult book called, The Erie Canal. I read it because I grew up near and spent some time hanging out on the banks of the Erie Canal. When it was in its hay day, the canal ran from Buffalo to Albany, NY.

The person had the foresight to see that the Erie Canal would create new economic opportunities was DeWitt Clinton, who for four years was the Governor of New York. He encountered staunch opposition on the part of those who believed that building a canal that spanned the entire state was an impossibility. This was because they lacked foresight.

The canal did get built and it opened up a new east to west shipping route.

There are many, many examples of foresight. And I now have self-example.

The book project (at times) has been one in which others have, and have not, had, as I do, foresight.

Pete had foresight in starting the bookcases in the school programs. I was dubious about this because I didn’t think the schools would want books and bookcases, some of the books coming from the Mat- Su school district. Now I am keeping in touch with school administrators – today Pete dropped off science fiction books at one school, and art books at another. And I am continuing to stock the newsprint box at a local elementary school.

Pamella Simpson had foresight in suggesting that I host a Bright Lights Book Project Book Fair at the Kiita Learning Community in Barrow. She knew this would benefit the community. And I knew that doing this would serve as a model for future literacy-related interactions with other village schools.

In order to have foresight about something, you have to believe in what you are doing, and not waver in that belief. That’s the hard part because what nay sayers have to say often makes sense. And anyone who has had foresight will tell you that this is a truism.

Next: 59. 2/28/23: Dental Whoas