Dragon seed - a year of transition

In Chinese culture, the dragon is an esteemed creature. Individuals born in the years of dragon are known for their enterprising spirits, confidence, and courage The advice for Horse Dragons, this year, is to embrace the mantra of "quiet success." Staying low-profile and excelling in your responsibilities will pave the way for success.

There are two distinct celebrations that signify the beginning of a new year in Australia among people of East Asian origins: the Western New Year and the Lunar New Year. Also known as the Gregorian New Year, the Western New Year is observed on 1 January, while the Lunar New Year, also referred to as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is celebrated according to the lunisolar calendar and generally emerges in February.

Associate Professor Xiaohuan Zhao, from Chinese Studies in the School of Languages and Cultures, says “ In the Sinic world, Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year is particularly significant and has deep cultural and traditional roots. It is a time for families to gather, pay respect to their ancestors and welcome the arrival of spring. So, whether one celebrates with fireworks and parties on 1 January or enjoys traditional foods and dragon and lion dances during the Lunar New Year, both celebrations"

This year will see a year of transitions - even if it ends up as a struggle between geriatric remnants of historical divisions - as the world begins the journey from the hedonistic experience economy into the optimistic significance economy.

So, in the spirit of a new year, here are some likely futures to ponder:

1. The focus on inflationary pressures and slowing economic growth will give way to a steady return to longer term investments and concern for those who have been left behind.
2. The follies of AI driving recessions and throwing workers onto the streets will join the queues of fears of the motor vehicle, the end of the movies with TV, and industrial class wars.
3. The push for a move to nuclear energy to buy time for fossil fuel fanatics will run into the shift towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind power driven by concerns about climate change and technological advancements.

4. The battle over borders, mass migration and insularity will feed political divisions between nationalists and internationalists as the global population continues to generate more haves and have-nots within and between nations.

5. Significant advancements in biotechnology, including personalised medicine, gene editing technologies like CRISPR, and the development of novel therapies for various diseases.

Given these dragon seeds, we can hope to see a realignment of governance and governments. The average age of political leaders will drop as the next generation shifts its attention to greater quality of life rather than quantity of goods and services, and expects good governance in place of "good grief" gabfests.