Dent believes the technology stocks of today have hit bottom and are now climbing back, but will suffer another, less dramatic correction in mid-2002, followed by a rapid climb that will last until 2009. During our lifetimes, he says, we're unlikely to see such a radical dip in the market followed by such booming growth. "The NASDAQ is at 1,400 now - it will climb to 14,000 by 2008 while the Dow will rise to 35,000. ... Baby boomers are still going to want their lifestyles, meaning high tech, biotech, leisure and travel, financial services, health care, and investments in [most of] Asia will offer high-profit opportunities."

BOTTOM LINE: To quote Dent, "This is not the time to go into bonds. If you're already in the stock market, it is definitely the wrong time to bail out. Buy aggressively." [For a contrary view, see Trend 7]

THE FLIGHT TO MEANING
It may be a matter of semantics, but Daniel Pink, author of Free Agent Nation and a former White House speechwriter, defines the new currents streaming through the public consciousness as a search for meaning. "In turbulent times people get serious about finding meaning. If life could end tomorrow, you won't be content pushing papers around a cubicle."

In what Pink calls "the flight to meaning," he sees more people working for themselves, following a profession they are passionate about, or working for non- profits. He sees a rise in one-income families and home schooling as parents focus on children, and a rise in families moving to smaller communities. Although many businesses are reducing employee benefits and options in an attempt to bolster the bottom line, Pink warns, "It's going to be a huge challenge for employers to hang on to their talent - companies that are bad places to work or that are not family-friendly are going to lose people." As companies start to recognize this, employees may have greater leverage than ever to work longer days but shorter weeks, odd hours, part time, or from home offices.