What are microtrends? These are changes in behavior or lifestyle by as few as one percent of the population. In this book, he identifies more than seventy of these minute changes that have world-changing potential. Among the things he noticed is a growing trend towards childless couples substituting pets for children. If this trend continues to grow, our animals may be better cared for, but the population will decline. This could have a disastrous effect when a much more populous generation needs the care of a younger generation.

He also explodes the popular myth that the poor and uneducated are the ones who turn to violence. This is not the case with Osama bin Laden and his brand of terrorist. As with Ben Laden himself, they are wealthy, well educated people who are interested only in changing the world by force. Apparently they are so committed to this goal, they will sacrifice even their lives to attain it. As our American forefathers were willing to sacrifice all for freedom, these are willing to die to enslave. They may have learned history's facts, but not how to apply the lessons to life. I found the observations quite enlightening. Penn shows us trends that have changed and are changing our lives. Not all of those changes are beneficial. We need to keep an eye on the changes around us to keep our world safe for ourselves and our children. Read Microtrends and help yourself keep a better watch on your world.