Gifted Child Today

Many teachers of gifted and talented children have been astonished and concerned that such children have a very pessimistic image of the future. During his lifetime, the eminent futurist Herman Kahn vented his wrath upon fellow futurists for their “gloom and doom” outlooks (Kahn & Bruce – Briggs, 1972). His “last vision” was to help educate the children of the world to develop a more optimistic image of the future. Much of his energy during the last year of his life was devoted to the development of pilot programs to attain this vision. This effort is described in the September, 1983 issue of Omni magazine.

After reading over 5,000 scenarios written by children throughout the world, the authors have concluded that gifted children throughout the world are hopeful, but they are also worried – worried about what we are doing to their tomorrow – worried that irreparable damage will be done before they have their chance at leadership.