Devastating outbreaks of a pandemic respiratory disease? Climate refugees who have fled homelands made unlivable by global warming? Legions of hackers who exult in bringing down global information networks? These are just three of the five ''super-threats'' facing human society in 2019, according to an on-line game of survival set to launch on October 6.

The on-line, multi-player, multi-web-site game (called ''Superstruct,'' detailed here in Discover or described by its host organization here)  is a conception of the Institute for the Future, and is designed not only to engage individuals in thinking about future threats to society, but also to help identify and craft our responses. Says they:

More than just about imagining what lies ahead, Superstruct is about building a better, stronger future. It's about inventing new ways to organize the human race and augment our collective human potential.

Essentially, players are asked to envision themselves in the year 2019, confronted by news of five impending threats that have shortened humanity's survival prospects to 23 years. What players do, and how other players react to those possible actions, will define the ''winners'' of the game, and the best ideas of the simulation.

Why the name ''Superstruct''? Says one of the project coordinators, Kathi Vian: ''society's existing structures and organizations aren't up to the incredible challenges facing us in the 21st century.'' So, new structures will need to be constructed on top of the old, aka ''superstructures'' (memo to Arts Administrators: cultural organizations are part of the current structures not up to the task, it would seem).

If you prefer a more direct cultural management lens for the proceedings, the American Association of Museums is encouraging a museum perspective on the game, hoping to help determine not only what humanity might do, but what museums might do in response to these threats.

Could be hype. Could be fun. Worth a moment's attention, at least, if it might help save humanity. When it launches, it will likely be here.

[Thanks again, Neal, for another link...glad to have such connected colleagues! ]