The approach of the New Year offers an ideal opportunity to reflect on the past and consider the prospects for the future. What follows is my own list of the major plusses and minuses that we face in 2025 and beyond. Of course, this list could be much longer, but I am trying to focus on a few seismic issues. Adding up the pros and cons, I am not sure which way the scale tips so will I resort to basic optimism in the spirit of the New Year.
Negatives
• Likelihood of climate related disasters and potential impact on migration
• Debt levels in the U.S. and most of the rest of the world
• Internal division, both in the U.S. and elsewhere
• Lack of faith in institutions and leaders in many countries
• World tensions and the possibility of additional armed conflicts
Positives
• The potential for technology to meaningfully improve our quality of life
• Incredible advances in medicine
• Surprisingly strong and resilient U.S. economy
• Some progress on renewable energy
• Overthrow of Assad in Syria leads to hope that other dictators may be deposed
Stretch your brain to develop your own list and let me know at wspitz@diversifiedtrust.com what I have missed. Happy New Year!!