So 2010 is over. Gone. Dead and buried. Caput. Finito.
Will you miss it? Will you look back at 2010 as the year where great things happened? Or will it be one of those years that flew by and morphed into all the others in the depths of your mind? You know, like 1998. Nothing happened in ’98. I mean, of course things happened, but nothing that makes me pine for 1998. The release of Armageddon starring Bruce Willis doesn’t do it, nor did France winning the world cup. In fact, that was really annoying.
What happened in 2010 that will stick in the memory? The formation of a UK coalition government springs to mind. Clegg and Cameron walking hand in hand into number 10 was a remarkable sight. Rumours that they shared a passionate embrace behind closed doors have proven to be completely unfounded. But I bet they did.
On a global level, we’ve been fire fighting. Literally in the case of Israel, while the world has had to watch as Haiti, Pakistan and others suffered terrible environmental tragedies. Such is their frequency, that there's a danger that international disasters will define our years for generations to come.
I’m no environmentalist but the earth is beginning to feel the strain that mankind has placed on it and changing climates are affecting poorer countries more and more. Perhaps the weather will be the key thing we take from 2010. I personally have spent the past 6 weeks bemoaning the weather here in the UK. How dare it snow! What about my hectic social life? And how dare you mess with the football season. Damn you superior worldly being who is clearly punishing us for the wrong doings of previous generations. And yes, I’m talking to you Mr Bank.
Because really 2010 has been a year of WTF. As in 'what the fuck just happened'? We’re coming to terms slowly with a changed world. We’re peeking our heads over the rocks we’ve been cowering behind (AKA 2008 and 2009) and slowly adjusting to new conditions. There’s less money, there’s changing industries, there’s a lack of certainty in the housing market (a previous rock of the western world) and there’s pessimism and ambiguity round every corner. In short, we’ve been stung and we’re making sure we don’t get stung again.
Government cuts, American mid-terms, interest rate holds, businesses and countries teetering on the brink of administration, global disasters and emerging superpowers – it’s uncertain to say the least. And that affects our psychology. It affects our confidence. Because the real truth is that no one knows just yet what 2010 was all about. Was it the year of the student riots? The birth of an angry generation? Or merely just another year of humanitarian disasters and political chaos? Was it the year when everything started getting better? Or the year we realised that things would never get better? Was 2010 the start of a paradigm shift, or merely just another year when lots happened, but nothing really mattered?
A bit like 1998 really. At least it’s not Armageddon I suppose.
So happy new year all and I leave you with my utterly subjective and meaningless 2010 awards:
Most enduring image:
Cameron and Clegg entering Downing St for the start of a new era of British politics.
Most unlikely world-affecting event:
Eyjafjallajökull
Best film: in a year littered with sequels and other meaningless films, Social Network just pips Un Prophete. Inception in 3rd for effort alone.
New stars?
Always. But how Janelle Monae isn’t much bigger in Europe than she is currently is beyond me. ArchAndroid is the best album of 2010 by a distance. In terms of new albums, honourable mentions to Arcade Fire, Big Boi, Deerhunter, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and as much as it pains me, Kanye. Oh god I’ve been unfaithful to myself.
Best song:
Utterly futile as I change my mind every two seconds but right now I’m in party mood and Only Girl in the World by Rihanna is just brilliant pop. The Villagers Becoming a Jackal is utterly fantastic for all sorts of different reasons.
Sportsperson of 2010
In a year when football has proven to be even more fickle and money orientated than even its biggest critics imagined, other sports have stepped up to the mark. None more so than cricket, and our national side in particular. Andrew Strauss has led the team with distinction, dignity and class while being a very fine batsman. He deserves all the accolades coming his way.
