Reviewing those irritating reviews

Hard to avoid the annual summary of events, or the year-end review of risks, or the New Year forecast of things that should not be forecast that saturate the print and digital publishing this time of year.  I personally suspect that they are written well in advance so the authors can take holiday in December, but here are my conclusions, organized by the things I care about:

I seriously do not like war and its consequences, and it appears that we continue at protracted war. Others continue at war, and there are threats of war all around the globe with the concomitant destruction of both of infrastructure and societies. As Pete Seeger told us…….

Politics is universally terrible, and there appears to be little or no reform in progress either in the US or in any place in the globe. The despots are still in place, and the popular movements are despotic.

Heath concerns and the paranoia about health foolishly occupy irrational levels of concern all around the world, but a few glimmers of hope appear in the form of global charitable investment (not governments) and the global response to Ebola (actually, governments did well so far). Everyone still talks about health too much, with few facts and little modifications of their activities.  Are they fools?  Well, IMHOP if you are worried about illness but refused vaccination that pretty much qualifies you as a fool.

Economic growth and sustainable development continue dramatically in the US, but rarely in the rest of the world.  The headline concern for inequality is not new news, but it should be noted that little is offered as a solution. This is of course very much related to politics and health, particularly in Africa.

It is encouraging to see some worthwhile efforts rewarded with success, ad some appropriate failures. The data finally indicates that clean energy economics are competitive with legacy dirty energy.  The leading wealthy individuals and organizations are making regular inroads in areas where needed. Technology and information transparency are transforming how many people behave, at least publically. And one simple Jesuit is rapidly reforming the Catholic Church.

Some bad companies are facing punishment (fines). Some industries are suffering appropriately (the weight loss purveyors). Some broad societal misbehavior is getting the public attention it needs (battery).And the public opinion of politicians continues to be so low that it may well be transformative (we shall see).

For the near future predictions there is little optimism but an occasional glimmer of hope. Individuals continue their slide into self-absorption.  Companies, in the majority, are slow to transform to new realities.  Governments are far behind in the basic investments required, and carrying legacy burdens that make no sense. The older generations are convinced that the younger generations are still slackers. Wasn’t it in Bye Bye Birdie that she sang ‘Why can’t they be like we were, perfect in every way’.

So…..I still look to see if anyone is learning anything from the past year or years.  All the real data and evidence is there.  We just must get everyone to read it, or hear it, and offer nuanced responses and not blunt narratives. Happy New Year.