Growing Up with APS: The Next Five Years

The start of a new year makes one particularly conscious of the concept of time. So it is probably inevitable that a column written during the period between Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's Day would be sprinkled with thoughts of past, present, and future, and of development and change. Reflecting on the past, present, and future of APS calls up (for me, at least; those familiar with my addiction to metaphor will understand) ontological analogies between organizations and individuals. The first five years of life are characterized by rates of change measured in weeks and months, a sense of awe at the very fact of existence, and a strong focus on the present. Developmental milestones are reached and surpassed in rapid succession, and symbols of growth and change are highly salient.