Copthorne Macdonald is a writer, independent scholar, and former communication systems engineer.  His interests include the nature of reality (including consciousness and mind), the development of wisdom, the global problematique, and the challenge of creating a sustainable future.  He has written extensively in these areas, and his published writing to date includes eight books (three on aspects of wisdom) and more than 130 shorter pieces.  The focus of his most recent book, Matters of Consequence, is helping the reader to attain a deeper understanding of the current human situation, adopt a positive solution-oriented attitude toward the future, and create a personal plan to help create that future. Copthorne developed the slow-scan TV system used worldwide in amateur radio, founded New Directions Radio to foster socially-relevant communication, established (and tends) a popular Internet-based compilation of wisdom-related resources called THE WISDOM PAGE , and has done extensive educational work in the field of energy alternatives and energy conservation.  For ten years he was an Associate Editor and columnist for The Mother Earth News, and more recently was on the Editorial Board of Integralis: Journal of Integral Consciousness, Culture, and Science.