Back in the early 80's (I am dating myself), when the USSR and nuclear winter were real threats, for my own amusement I started asking people if they thought they would see the end of the world in their lifetimes. I was surprised by how many did. For all it's problems the world has improved quite a bit since that time, and this has reinforced my natural optimism. But this year is a year of crisis - the Carona virus is a serious threat, a long over-due recession/depression may be coming soon, identity politics is dividing people into warring camps, there is rising totalitarianism, serious economic inequality over most of the planet, climate change, rising ocean levels ... I personally think we are in for a tough time but we will get through it, and perhaps even prosper in a few years. How about you guys? Is 2020 just a year of crisis or is it the beginning of the end?