A five-minute clip from a documentary about “visual futurist” artist Syd Mead, who, in addition to creating his own tech-friendly, optimistic work, has been a key force in the art department of many huge sci-fi films, including Blade Runner. In a 2009 interview, Mead addressed the future of our planet:

“Q: What do you think our future will look like? Can we expect something positive or negative?

Syd Mead: The future is what we try to make of it. Obviously we’re going through a earth warming period, which could be caused by our local star, the sun, or other reasons like the accumulation of carbon dioxide. But you have to remember that nature has treated this planet rather harshly several times before, take the asteroid for example that wiped out the dinosaurs.

You have to realize that over 80% of the scientists and engineers that have ever lived are alive right now. So if anything is going to be figured out we’re in a good position to do so now. I like to image a bright future, because that’s healthy. If you really believe that the world is coming to an end then it probably is – you’re helping.”