Twelve Days Into 2025
From fires to political theater, the year begins with chaos, inconsistencies, and uneasy truths
The human condition, powerless under its own mind trap, tethers precariously between genius and folly. And nature, ever the master, watches unperturbed; indifferent to our struggles and unyielding in its power.
It is early January, and the state of the world continues its status quo with uncertainties. I find myself reflecting not on resolutions, but on a growing list of troubling realities. The human condition, ever fragile, dangles precariously on a tightrope between genius and folly. Despite our technological triumphs, we remain tethered by our own mindtraps—fear, greed, and shortsightedness. Nature, as always, watches on, indifferent and unyielding, a quiet master over all.
In California, fires rage, consuming both landscapes and dreams in Hollywood’s backyard. A stark reminder of our neglect toward a planet we fail to nurture. Elsewhere, the headlines grow stranger: the alleged killer of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson is hailed as a hero by some—a chilling reflection of public frustration with broken systems. Meanwhile, tech mogul Brian Johnson’s quest for immortality, clad in the slogan “Don’t Die,” feels almost dystopian in its hubris.
Less visible but no less alarming, a Listeria outbreak tied to Boar’s Head in Virginia, quietly threatens public health. It underscores how fragile our food systems remain. At the same time, scientists warn about the potential creation of chiral microbes, engineered organisms with inverted molecular structures that could rewrite the rules of biology—for better or worse. Such innovations hold both promise and peril, reminding us of the thin line between genius and destruction.
Even the justice system seems to falter in the face of such influence. Trump is sentenced for hush money charges, yet assured no incarceration.
Accountability, it seems, is a privilege denied to the powerful.
And amidst this spectacle, Elon Musk joins the fold—a partnership of power and disruption that feels almost too surreal to be true.
The global drama continues. Donald Trump’s return to office carries with it a bold vision of geopolitical ambition. This time, his ambitions stretch beyond the U.S., with renewed interest in Greenland—once dismissed as a curious whim, now reemerging as a strategic bid for resources and geopolitical leverage in the Arctic. Simultaneously, plans to assert greater control over the Panama Canal suggest a return to bold territorial ambitions, thinly veiled as economic strategy. When asked about Panama and Greenland, by CBS News reporter’, Trump replied “We need them for economic security.”
These moves signal a vision of a world reshaped to reflect power and dominance, unsettling in their audacity.
And, then there’s Gaza, a tragedy the world seems to have abandoned, left to smolder as a symbol of unfulfilled promises and a collective moral failure
And so, amidst the chaos, we bid farewell to Jimmy Carter. His quiet humility and dedication to service stand in sharp contrast to the world around him. In a time of performative politics, Carter’s legacy reminds us of a simpler, steadier leadership—a rare quality we seem to be leaving behind.
These are just twelve days’ worth of my NOT favorite things as 2025 begins. A world that burns, bends, and blurs its way forward, leaving us to wonder: what else lies ahead?
For related reading check out my article on Resilience: Reframing Mental Health
Coming soon:
Stay Tuned for “The Brain Trap”
The Brain Trap refers to the cognitive pitfalls and outdated survival mechanisms in the human brain that, while once essential for survival, now hinder decision-making, growth, and adaptation in modern. In upcoming issues, we’ll uncover the hidden ways the Brain Trap shapes our decisions and explore strategies to overcome these evolutionary pitfalls.
From the science behind our instincts to practical tools for breaking free, you won’t want to miss what’s next.
Stay curious, and stay tuned.