Ringing out the ‘Rizz’ of 2023: Rallying towards a Resilient 2024

As 2023 melts into memory, let’s admit it: this year sizzled like a Michelin-starred soufflé, scorching our global consciousness with its heat and happenings. As I type this article, a floral flash mob defies the calendar – cherry blossoms bloom outside my window in Boston, MA, evidencing December’s unusual warmth (see picture). Traditionally harbingers of spring and Easter in April, but now by lodging themselves as Christmas/New Year flora, these flowers betray a world humans have harmed, urging us to reflect and commit.

2023 was as unprecedented in its global narratives as in its climatic shifts. The ‘doughnut effect’ in our cities evolved; ‘rizz’, a slang for effortless charisma, became the mantra and attitude for living with swagger in uncertain times; and ‘situationships’ defined more than just personal connections, epitomizing the interesting times we live in where communication is key yet the lack of commitment and undefined nature of interpersonal relationships are considered markers of modernism, freedom, and independence. We witnessed the ‘de-influencing’ trend as a counterpoint to consumerism amidst Taylor’s sonic backdrop of the ‘Swiftie’ wave, reminding us that less can indeed be more. Heat continued to melt Arctic ice & glaciers. Frozen geopolitical conflicts also thawed into fiery wars, radicalizing the world into a multipolar arena of conflict rife with pyrotechnic displays, unspeakable human rights violations, and a soaring rise in climate and political refugees. Yet, we found solace in cultural icons. Shah Rukh Khan, my favourite and a global superstar, reasserted his box office presence after a long hiatus, captivating audiences with Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki, films that danced between action and allegory, reminding us that heroism finds rhythm even in the face of chaos. Further, this past year, while I celebrated the completion of my LLM – Masters in the Law, another LLM – Large Language Models and Generative AI was revolutionizing our digital conversations and tech usage, challenging our perceptions of creativity, innovation, and originality.

Stepping into 2024, it’s time to trade in fireworks for fireflies and learn from the lessons and legacies of the past – to mend the scorched tapestry of our world, not with quick fixes, but with careful stitches of respect. The Earth is no longer a patient awaiting ‘course correction’; it’s demanding reparations for decades of our exploitation. In 2024, environmental reckoning and climate consciousness are imperative. We must lower the ‘beige flag’ of neutrality and deliver atonement for years of exploitation – reparations for past excesses. Let’s stop treating sustainability like a fad diet and embrace it as the only recipe for a healthy future.

In 2024, there’s also hope for impactful change. This year is poised to be a milestone with nations home to half the world’s population holding elections, potentially reshaping the global political narrative. Moreover, the International Court of Justice will hear the Republic of Vanuatu’s petition for an advisory opinion on climate change. This landmark case holds the potential to redefine our legal relationship with the planet, offering a beacon of hope in the face of environmental challenges.

Let this be the year when our technological advances are matched by our commitment to the planet, when we don’t get lost in the ‘Mixed Reality’ of filtered feeds, we keep our ears to the ground, listen to the heartbeat of dissent and the whisper of hope. Real connection doesn’t necessarily require Wi-Fi. Following a year when India reached the lunar south pole and is next aiming for the Sun and Mars, walking across the street to visit a neighbor shouldn’t be a lengthy endeavor. The human touch, not just hashtags, should be the currency of 2024.

To the youngsters grappling with a world changing faster than TikTok trends: may you have the strength of a thousand suns and the agility of a river, constantly adapting yet unyielding in your journey. Don’t be frivolous, and know that within you lies the power to shape the future. Stand firm against external pressures, remain self-assured while being polite and mannered, and remain aware of social mores.

To those seasoned with wisdom streaks on your heads and faces: your stories are our compass. We are grateful. Stay curious, keep learning, and let the world learn gracefully from your experience. Be the bards in this symphony of change, your voices the bridges between generations.

So, as the clock strikes midnight, let’s usher in 2024, where hope blooms like an unseasonal cherry blossom, where technology is a tool, not a tyrant, and where human connection reigns supreme. The threads of our choices meticulously weave the future. Let’s make them count, make them bold, make them beautiful. In 2024, let’s blend the wisdom of the past with future innovations, creating a year where every challenge is met with resilience and every success is celebrated with humility and joy. Here’s to a year of peace, progress, and purpose, where every step is towards understanding, respect, and sustainability. Happy New Year to all my readers!