Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Blockbuster Events of 2008.

Our top four picks for the most universe-disturbing* stories of the year:
  1. The massive deleveraging of the financial system, the huge devaluing of most financial assets, and the long-coming cardiac arrest of a credit-gorged economy. It was fun while it lasted, eh?
  2. President-Elect Barack Obama. Hooda thunk it?
  3. Success in Iraq. Although you could have missed it for the lack of news coverage.
  4. Turning 50, and the associated psychological seismic activity.

*And indeed there will be time

To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”

Time to turn back and descend the stair,

With a bald spot in the middle of my hair —
[They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”]

My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,

My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin — [They will say: “But how his arms and legs are thin!”]

Do I dare Disturb the universe?

In a minute there is time

For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

- T.S. Eliot, from the Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock