Editor's Letter - October 2007

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People ask me all the time to describe what we’re doing with the new Prosper. Here’s my answer: We’re helping our readers figure out what to do with the rest of their lives.

For the first time ever, most of us have the chance to decide for ourselves precisely what that means. For eons human life has been defined by disease as well as where, and to whom, you were born. In the past century all of that unraveled. Penicillin and modern medicine have doubled life expectancies, meaning that most of us will spend many more years on this green orb than our forefathers could have imagined. At the same time, travel, technology and communication have made it possible to visit, and live, almost anywhere.

So what are you going to do with all this time and the cornucopia of choices? In “Tomorrowville,” (page 62) we begin a series on the demographic trends, development pressures, psychological influences, and cultural forces shaping the regional communities where we will live — or choose not to — in coming years. Predicting the future is a mug’s game, so we’re not going there. But we are convinced that if you don’t think (a lot) about what you’re doing now, whether you’re in Gen X or Y or a Baby Boomer, you are likely to be disappointed tomorrow. In coming months we’ll cover more aspects of this critical set of decisions facing each of us.

As if we didn’t already live long enough, digital imaging diagnostics and radiation medicine are on the verge of extending our life spans even further. In our cover story, “The Image Makers,” (page 50) we look at a fascinating homegrown medical diagnostics business: Radiological Associates of Sacramento. One of the world’s leading imaging groups, this physician-owned operation uses cutting-edge technology to diagnose serious ailments early enough to do something about them. This business is literally saving the lives of our fellow citizens, and we are lucky to have it in our region.

Finally, I’d like to draw your attention to a new series of profiles we’re launching in this issue. Called Govt 3.0, (page 20) this month we take a look at Clark Kelso, the state’s Chief Information Officer — or Top Geek — who runs one of the biggest data centers in the world. In coming issues we’ll be seeking out innovative managers and leaders throughout government trying to understand what it takes to make a public servant great.

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