This is New Years Eve of 2010, where the numerical combination 2010 serves a practical purpose. A purpose of remembering 2010 as the year of harsh winters, the volcano eruption on Iceland, dispair in Haiti, the suicide bomber striking in Stockholm and the emergence of a racist party in the parliament of Sweden. 2010 is a number indicating that the series of events within the time span of 365 days were somewhat different from the ones in 2009, 2008 and 2007. But many people understood the numerical combination 2010 as something more than a practicality. Similarly, 2011 is a yet another number of hope.
Believing in a new year is like believing in Santa, witchcraft or - as the atheist I am - God. Naively we think that a number will make a difference to the world. Not the mentality of the people, the decisions of the employed nor the actions of the leaders. Surely, the year itself will work its magic. And if it doesn't, we'll just have to wait for another year - a year with a different set of numbers.
Why do we believe that a new year can make a difference to us? Because it is easier to wish than to work for something. It is easier to wish for peace, than it is to end a war.
I wish that people wished less, and did more.
Happy 2011.
Let's make this year different.
