Defeatists and false prophets have long predicted the world’s end.
Deadlines are such that this issue is off to press prior to the cataclysmic event predicted for Dec. 21, when the Mayan calendar concludes. I expect our supposition that all is normal prevailed.
Throughout time there have been many misguided predictions and misinterpretations of events.
Y2K was a disaster predicted for the year 2000, when computers and all they control would collapse. While it didn’t happen, there was much fanfare and scurrying about for generators and supplies to combat it.
Other predictions by pastors, psychics, soothsayers and in some cases, outright crooks, have wound up parts of the population to believe the end was near. Often, those easily fooled, parted with their money and time as they focused on an eventuality that didn’t come to pass.
The question is why are people so gullible? It seems to us there are a number of reasons.
The information overload that exists today sure doesn’t help people pause to reflect on much. Coffee shop talk as an example, or social media posts, provide a forum for gossip that is hard to counteract. The wilder the story, the more people are likely to believe the story teller.
One such case, just prior to going to press this past week was word that people in Fergus shouldn’t drink tap water here, because of an E. coli problem. A quick call to the township office disproved that claim as gossip. But, within hours we had heard from people at each end of town, worried for their health and that of their family.
Other times we hear of improprieties, whether it be thefts of time and money in local government or community issues that pre-suppose the future. Rarely do such claims have a basis in fact, but the damage is already done to people’s reputation or the organization’s standing in the community.
These are some of the challenges we face as a News organization dedicated to delivering the straight goods to our readers each week. It takes a sense of perspective and cool headedness that comes about from professional training and experience.
Our plans for the coming year include bettering our performance from years past and maintaining the steady gaze on each community readers have come to expect. With our News team we hope to dig a little deeper into issues that affect each and every resident across Wellington County.
A hope for 2013, over which we have little control, is that citizens develop a better sense of perspective on issues in the News. There is no doubt that personal interests will often trump the public interest, but we think there needs to be consideration for the community at large.
Often, people are so immersed in their problem that they lose perspective of the bigger picture.
The more tragic example lately was teachers linking Premier McGuinty’s Bill 115 to Nazi Germany’s expulsion of unions. Another union group used a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King as some kind of rallying cry for teachers today. It was laughable. We understand emotions are high, but let’s keep it real.
With perspective will come a better sense of understanding and empathy for others. That might be our greatest wish for 2013 – that people look around a little more and understand the plight of others.
As we bid adieu to a year of struggles around the globe and in each of our homes, we wish our readers and dedicated advertisers a prosperous 2013.
Happy New Year.
