Sapiens qui prospicit

I used to think that our old school motto - Sapiens qui prospicit (wise is he who looks ahead) - was a truism, until I learned that looking ahead is neither desirable nor strictly necessary. In fact, too much looking ahead can lead to procrastination and paralysis. Reconfigure the quote to 'wise is the rabbit who looks ahead' and you will see what I mean, as you envisage the headlights of the approaching SUV.

This week we have been given our 'disaster and emergency preparedness' training, designed to deal with the plethora of calamaties likely to befall us in Indonesia. Apart from the usual dangers: earthquake, tsunami, landslide, flood, civil commotion and of course the ubiquitous terrorism; can be added the new dread of bird flu. In the event of a city-wide pandemic we have been advised to 'stay at home and await instructions'.

I always feel that too much forward planning really takes the fun out of a crisis, and so when the bird flu virus strikes I plan to be downstairs looting Carrefour with everyone ese. My alma mater would be so proud...