But, alas, the atom bomb also brought with it, a terrifying reality. The ability of humankind to destroy life on this planet - forever. September 11, did not change the world. 9/11, was a significant event, that has changed our perception, of the world. Perhaps, bringing it home to us, as it really is.

At the sacrifice of some 3,000 lives, and at the suffering of two to three times as many - who were severely affected by the tragedy - we came face to face, with the reality of our potential self-destruction.

The precious insight, is in the nature of future threats. What we have to fear, is less the next suicide plane, bus, or truck full of explosives - anthrax, bubonic plague, smallpox - or other chemical or biological weapon. Any of these will cause us great pain, suffering and economic damage. But we would cope. We have many antidotes on hand, or nearly ready.

What we truly have to fear, is the nuclear threat. Probably less from nations, that in most cases understand the cost they would incur, through retaliation, were they to launch a nuclear attack. The metaphorical threat, brought home by 9/11, is the "nuclear suitcase". A relatively small, compact nuclear device, capable of destroying whole cities.

Worse yet, is the picture that came into focus, of the zealots, the madmen, who would attempt this. They are not only people who do not share our values, but people who do not value life. People who have nothing to lose. People who view their personal sacrifice, as a higher calling. People who worship at the altar of exclusion, divisiveness, and hate.

Yes, most often, these are people born and bred, in environments of oppression, poverty, misery, squalor, hopelessness. These are the environments that breed hatred, bigotry, and contempt. One cannot but worry, about some one billion-plus youths - growing up in these conditions today - in the underdeveloped world of the Middle East, in Africa - and in parts of Asia. These are the potential warriors and terrorists. The future supporters of the misguided movements, that consider themselves victims. And who blame us - in the West, as the ones who cause their oppression and hopelessness.

These realities will indeed be with us, in the 21st Century. If we do nothing, if we carry on with life as usual, these threats, will sadly become, a terrible reality.

The atom bomb, has made the earth, a village. What happens at one end of town, affects us all. The Monroe Doctrine, the intelligent and measured isolation of Jefferson, these policies, no longer work. The atom bomb, dictates a new set of rules of engagement.

Military solutions, such as those we have effectively undertaken in Afghanistan, are necessary - but they are not sufficient. We must create an incentive, for those future terrorists, and the nations that harbor them and aid them, so willingly and eagerly in packing that nuclear suitcase, not to do so. Those billion-plus youth, must be educated. They must be provided with opportunities, and jobs. They must get "connected", with the modern, value-producing world.

The risk of not undertaking to achieve this, is dangerously high. The aim for us is not to eradicate this threat completely militarily - because that is simply not possible. It is not to contain it, and get back to business as usual. It is to fundamentally change the world, and to close the chasm, between the developed, and developing worlds. To connect those billion-plus youths, with the free enterprise system - capable of providing jobs, a decent standard of living, and the opportunity for personal, and spiritual growth.

The imperatives for those who are business men and women - in this new heightened reality of the 21st Century, is simple. Business as usual, will not be sufficient.

So, what must we be ready, and able to do? When you look at all the critical forces, shaping our future business and personal landscape, what will be the critical New Imperatives on the journey to survival, continued prosperity, and success? What skills, and tools will we need? If the Moses of business was to come down mountain with the tablets for success in business, what will be written on them?