interest lies. Rather than being a depressing subject<br >to be avoided， the world food problem has become for<br >us the most useful tool in making sense out of our<br >complex world. But how can we explain that in a few<br >sentences? We cannot--and that is why we decided to<br >Write a book.<br > To discover the positive message hidden in the ap-<br >parent "hopelessness" of the world food problem we<br >must first face the forces now pushing Americans into<br >positions of guilt， fear， and ultimate despair. Given<br >the threatening way that the global food problem is<br >interpreted for us， is it surprising that most of us<br >wish to shut it out most of the time? Everywhere<br >newspaper headlines carry a clear message:<br >POPULATION BOMB<br >LOSING FIGHT FOR VI<br > AND FOOD SHORTAGE<br >TAL BALANCE<br >New York Times， August 14， 1974<br > 3<br >W<br ><br >