JULIAN HUXLEY 
rare spearheads or torchbearers, or trustees—choose your 
metaphor according to taste !—of advance in the cosmic process 
of evolution. 
The present is a challenging moment, when for the first time 
we can see ourselves in the long perspective of that extraordin- 
ary process, can get a better view of its operation and direction, 
and can bring all our resources of knowledge and will to bear 
on the dual task of avoiding immediate disaster and realizing 
new possibilities in the long future. In this dual task, only 
scientific method and a massive deployment of scientific man- 
power can prevent disaster and ensure evolutionary improve- 
ment. 
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