SALEM - In a gentle voice, with the soft trace of a Virginia accent, writer Tom Wolfe painted a cheerful picture of a world merrily making its way to the abyss, last night.

The author of "The Right Stuff," "Bonfire of the Vanities" and "The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby," among other fiction and nonfiction books, Wolfe spoke at the Salem Series, the climax to the program's 25th year.

At first, his talk might have seemed a bit disconnected, as he recalled 19th-century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche along with the "demoralization" of sex in modern culture.

Nietzsche announced that God is dead, Wolfe said, meaning "So many important, well-educated human beings no longer believe in him." Consequently, Nietzsche made a couple of chilling predictions, one anticipating the rise of "barbaric nationalistic brotherhoods" in the 20th century.

"He was a pretty good prophet," said Wolfe, referencing the rise of the Nazis and communists. "We should pay attention to his prediction for the 21st century." Wolfe waited to reveal what that was.

Instead, the author - clad in a signature white suit - spoke of a world where a man with an idea can have more power and influence than armies or men with great fortunes. Psychiatrist Sigmund Freud's idea, for example, was that sex offered an irresistible impulse, one that had to be obeyed.

"Freud was a quack," Wolfe decided.

Nevertheless, the writer saw Freud's philosophy - with a dash of Charles Darwin - at work everywhere during his research for the novel "I Am Charlotte Simmons," an examination of social life on college campuses.

"Our eyes met, our lips met, our bodies met and 21/2 days later we were introduced. ... It's often called random hookups as I'm sure nobody at Salem State would be aware of," Wolfe deadpanned.

It's also the spirit of the age, summed up in a top song of 2005 by the Bloodhound Gang, which declared, "You and me, baby, we ain't nothing but mammals. So let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel."

"It's very hard to be sinful sexually anymore," Wolfe said. Novels like "The Scarlet Letter" and "Anna Karenina" wouldn't work today, he said. "They are based on the idea of shame. Anna and Vronski's affair, it would be a two-day item on 'Page Six.'"

The word "illegitimate" has no currency, and the rate of out-of-wedlock births is 32 percent.

"Illegitimacy is batting .320," he said with a chuckle.

In wonderment, he read a New York Post survey where women discussed their often promiscuous sexual experiences and gave their names and places of employment. "We have a lot of sex," said one. Wolfe held up the page in amazement, "And here's her picture."

Demoralization has a double meaning. As the taboos fall, Wolfe explained, so does the birthrate. Surveys aren't necessary, count the heads in church, he advised and get an indication where a society is going. While American birthrates sputter - in Europe and Japan they are in free fall. In Spain, with a 1.2 replacement rate, "In one generation, that population will be halved."

Not everyone has forgotten to breed, however. He noted that Muslim births are strong, and he estimated Europe's Islamic population at 20 percent.

Finally, Wolfe returned to Nietzsche, who predicted, "In the 21st century will occur something far worse than the great wars. ... That will be the total eclipse of values."

But Wolfe argued that a world where nothing and no one matters does not have to be the future. Rather, he puts his faith in people with ideas. Indeed, good ideas have gained currency, too - he cited Jesus Christ.

"One person can change the world we live in. I'm hoping its someone in this audience. Why shouldn't it be?"

Hail to the chief

Outgoing President Nancy Harrington got a warm standing ovation last night as she introduced Tom Wolfe and noted that this would be her last time hosting a speaker at the Salem Series. She seemed surprised at the fuss, threw back her head and modestly touched her forehead.

Wolfe followed her to the podium and noted, "I've heard incessant praise (about Harrington) ever since I've been in Salem." He recalled a college president friend who lamented the brief tenure of most of his contemporaries - an average of 31/2 years. Harrington has served for 17 years.

"Well you've been terrible lucky," the writer told the audience. "And Salem State has been terribly lucky."