What a 2023!

In any other year, moving across an ocean would be the noteworthy item. Or going back to the US to see some of the truly remarkable people who fill my world with love and friendship. Or even the flying tuberculosis ward of a plane that I got off of a couple hours ago could make the list. But none of those are what comes to mind first when I think of 2023.

It could be any of the macro human accomplishments, a nice list of which is available from the folks at Future Crunch, here. As usual, the list of scientific and medical achievements has crossed over from the impressive into the downright magical. I give thanks for all the people who dedicate their lives to the quest for genuine human knowledge. Clean energy is surging, the foolish leaders of the “nah, just burn everything so we can get rich” school will lose, and a believe a tipping point is near, and it may well be a good one.

Apparently in the late 1800s, about 80% of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty. With a nod to the nuances and complexities, we can still gawk that the number is down to 10%. 50 million more girls are in schools today than 2015. The murder rate in the US decreased almost 13% last year, one of the largest declines ever, with almost all categories of crime declining too, violent and property crimes shrinking to levels not seen in half a century, and the US’s prison population is down 25% since 2009.

We’re cracking down on tax havens, down from 2015’s 9% of global GDP hidden in those traitorous lairs to 3% today. Keep going. Invade the Cayman Islands, with no guns, just lots of accountants with consciences. Institutional bigotry is down, child marriage is down, and my dear Pope Francis extended his lead in my mind as the best pope in history.

A year ago everyone was bracing for a brutal economic downturn, but I credit the best presidential administration in my lifetime with helping the world economy into the soft landing that was spoken of as an unrealistic dream. (Check out #44 on that list.) Lord it’s nice to feel like your country is a positive presence. And when Greenpeace cites “the greatest conservation victory of all time” you know it’s gotta be good. (#48) My trusty Dutch crunched some numbers and say there is far less plastic in the oceans than we thought, and Japan is working on a bacteria to break it down to help even more. Lift those canteens and tote bags high.

I’d love to go through the whole list, but I have a party in a museum to get to. So to finish, when I look at the year just past, I see a remarkable tapestry of wonderful tours filled with great people, exploring beautiful and interesting places. And for me the gem is my Romania tour, and all the nervous excitement of finding out if other people will feel the same way I have come to, and the satisfaction when the reviews came back raving.

I say this not to brag, but in recognition of this magnificent planet, with an endless array of wonderful things to share with us, and the radiant human spirit that wants to go out and live more joy. So cheers to all the friends, old and new, all the travelers veteran and green, and all of us marching into this new year with eyes ready to see the wonderful, and hands ready to help it along.

Now I’m going to go dance with dinosaurs. Happy new year!