Reporter: "What do you think of Western civilization, Mr. Gandhi?" Mohandas Gandhi: "I think it would be a good idea."

This quote is probably apocryphal, but if the Mahatma didn't say it, he should have. Now we have something close to a global civilization: Most of the world's people work in similar economies, use the same machines, and live about as long. They even know most of the same things and have the same ambitions.

So we need somebody to ask us the same question. Do we really think a global civilization is a good idea? And if so, have we any plans for keeping it going beyond a few generations more?