The electronic crystal ball has shown me two words: "each morsel". I see little fish. I see bigger fisher. I see even bigger fishermen. The future becomes clear.

During the past fishing season, striped bass provided good fishing off the Connecticut coast until bluefish began consuming too much of the local baitfish. Without the small fish, the "morsels" spoken of by the crystal ball, bigger fish were harder to catch. This much you can learn without a crystal ball.

I foresee a similar occurrence during the coming season. I foresee less-dedicated fishermen frustrated by the paucity of their catches considering giving up on fishing altogether. I see troubled families at risk because fathers no longer know what to do with their sons. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. I foresee the apocalypse.

Can this future be avoided? Sort of. The apocalypse is coming whether we like it or not. What can be avoided is having bad fishing conditions be the factor that brings the destruction of society to the tipping point. By breeding baitfish and releasing them in popular fishing spots, we can keep more families fishing together. Each little baitfish morsel that is available to fishermen will reduce the decline of the family institution. The challenge in avoiding this future will be knowing how many baitfish will be needed. One less that the required number, and society falls. One more, and the proverbial camel's back does not break.

Before we start breeding baitfish, I should point out that I foresee the cost of solving the fish problem tipping another social slide that will also lead to the apocalypse. Take your pick.