The new year is off to a challenging start. Less than three weeks ago, we watched the last hours of the old year wind down. At family homes, pubs, and dance parties, we gathered to celebrate the arrival of 2025. It was a time for optimism and when the clocks struck midnight, those of us who fended off sleep to ring in the new year shared hugs, back slaps, and “Happy New Year!” wishes.
Yes it felt good. The arrival of a new year was a time for hope, for anticipating positive change. It was a fresh start, a wonderfully clean slate.
But these feelings of Dec. 31st waned quickly for many as troubling news stories were broadcast. Six days into the new year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau informed Canadians of his decision to resign. The timing of his announcement confused many. Parliament is now prorogued or suspended until March 24, during which time a new Liberal leader will be chosen, so we’re entering a phase of uncertainty. Political suspended animation.
South of the border Donald Trump, now a convicted felon, upset the good-relations apple cart by claiming our fine nation would make a great addition to his own. A “51st state” to use his words. His reference to the Canadian-United States border as an “artificially drawn line” was both baffling and offensive. Thoughtless bluster, an offensive joke or a dangerous claim? I was not amused.
And while a prime minister and a president-elect rocked the boat, Mother Nature unleashed some of her own fury. On Jan. 8th, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the remote Shigatse region of Tibet, 80 kilometres north of Mount Everest’s base. Thousands of structures were destroyed, leaving many homeless in a region where temperatures drop below freezing. Over 14,000 rescue workers responded to assist the victims.
Meanwhile, communities in LA county in southern California have been hit by devastating wildfires. Buffeted by hurricane force winds, the fires quickly spread across thousands of acres. At the time of writing this column, 9,000 buildings have been destroyed and over 180,000 people forced to evacuate. A tragedy of immense proportions.
Yes, 2025 is off to a tough start. Turmoil and damage. Old wars and conflicts. New uncertainties and horrendous losses.
In the face of these reports, it’s tempting to avoid world news and mainstream journalism altogether. It’s tempting to bury our heads in the sand and escape into the world of entertainment and cyber fluff. Social media and streaming services offer a myriad of such distractions. Everything from the intriguing to the ridiculous, from the ordinary to the inane, from the real to the not-so-real, thanks to AI.
“Brain rot” - Oxford’s Word of the Year for 2024 - highlights this trend, defined as the deterioration of a person’s mental state through over-consumption of trivial or unchallenging material (particularly online content). Social media might seem like a fun way to avoid the troubles of the world, fill time, or keep a finger on the social pulse, but take care. Digital distraction can all too easily become a steady diet. A quick social media browse can become a time wasting habit. Those handheld screens can draw us in.
Yes, there is a huge world beyond the entertainment on our screens. Much of it is wonderful and beautiful; some of it violent and troubling. As responsible Canadians we need to stay aware of the serious issues confronting our nation and the world. We need to move beyond cyber fluff and develop a broad and realistic world view.
Staying informed about significant national and international events is important and can spur us into responsible action. Accurate information helps us lobby for causes that matter, participate fully in the election process, volunteer our time, or donate to international relief efforts. By learning about the plight of others, we can become more appreciative of our own well being and participate in efforts to safeguard it.