If you win too easy, better ask what’s going on that you don’t know about. - Charles Sheffield

Many plans featured that old standby, prayer. Its historical record of effectiveness apparently discouraged few people, although I, regrettably, am among the skeptics. All the churches were full. It is not clear to me exactly what prayers were being offered by their occupants. The temporary suspension, perhaps, of the laws of physics? The art galleries and theaters also reported record crowds. If religion is an opiate, art is an anodyne.

When you had little or no information, it was unreasonable to have any expectations. But somehow you did, even if they were often wrong.

I think my inner voices are pretty good when it comes to warning of trouble. The problem is, I don’t always listen to them.