1 January

The kids in this pic look like they all want the same toy. But it's not about the toy, they fight over the toy because the other kids want it. That's what makes them fight. The kid who wins the fight will likely drop the toy and go and do something else. That's what drives all human desire, and thus thought and behaviour. We want what others desire. We don't grow out of this, it just manifests itself in many more subtle ways in adult life. We imitate the desires of others. If they have the latest open plan living home, we want the latest open plan living home. It's not about open plan living, we'll argue black and blue that we love it. In 10 years we'll be putting all the walls back up because others are now doing that, and we will imitate *that* desire instead. We're still the kids in the pic. Millions suddenly go to see Taylor Swift, or AC/DC, or Oasis, because they see others desiring that, and so they desire it. Still the kids with the toy. These imitative waves now happen faster, and get bigger all the time. In history that usually means a society is in crisis, and violent upheaval is imminent.