Each year, literary über-agent and big idea wrangler John Brockman [5] of Edge.org [6]poses a new question to an assortment of scientists, writers, and creative minds, and publishes a selection of the responding essays. This year's question, which came fromGeorge Dyson [7], is "What *Should* We Be Worried About? [8]"

We worry because we are built to anticipate the future. Nothing can stop us from worrying, but science can teach us how to worry better, and when to stop worrying.

Many people more interesting than me responded [8]—here are the 2013 contributors [9], and the list includes some amazing minds: Brian Eno, Daniel Dennett, Esther Dyson, George Dyson, David Gelernter, Danny Hillis, Arianna Huffington, Kevin Kelly, Tim O'Reilly, Martin Rees, Bruce Schneier, Bruce Sterling, Sherry Turkle, and Craig Venter, to name just some. And here's an index of all the essays [10] this year.

Following is the full text of my contribution, "Science Has Not Brought Us Closer To Understanding Cancer [11]."