2016 was a period defined by the speed and ease spreading information, causing heightened societal awareness to problems that had already existed or new challenges, and rapid mobilization to try and change these problems. It was also defined by a counter-culture of individuals resisting this change because they feel their way of life is rapidly evolving, and they have no control over it.
Science technology
There were several advances in the field of computer science including advances in artificial intelligence which let to a player defeating the world champion at the board game "Go." Winning at go previously seemed to be impossible due to it being computationally very complex, but through advances in machine learning, AlphaGo was able to win. Greater availability of decentralized data centers led to higher use of big data to improve policies. Scientists also detected gravitational waves, invented a working EDM Drive, developed the CRISPR a device able to change DNA and we used the Juno space probe to study Jupiter. Blockchain was hailed as a great invention used to make Bitcoin work and further advances in virtual reality and augmented reality lead to Pokemon Go and Oculus Rift being a smash hit.
Business and Economy
A year characterized by Mega-merger showed corporations belief that strong growth was in the future. AT&T acquired Time Warner for 85.4 billion; Bayer announced plans to buy Monsanto for 66 billion dollars and several multi-billion acquisitions. A myriad of scandals overshadowed these mergers. Wells Fargo opened scores of fake bank accounts to increase profit and stock price. Whistleblowers also disclosed the Panama papers showing how wealthy groups use shell companies in Panama to hide wealth and avoid taxes. There also was a series of drug companies hiking the prices of already on the market drugs leading to a Senate hearing on the price hike on EpiPens. There also was a rise of corporations working to automate jobs including several companies testing autonomous cars. Much of this lead to strong protectionist rhetoric during the presidential campaign and the death of trade deals in Asia and Europe. The second half of 2016 was notable for it being the first time the nation begins to show strong recovery from the financial crisis. The third quarter data on the US economy showed 3.2% growth leading to S&P closing at record highs and DOW Jones continued to rise. The FED raises interest rates and unemployment hits low of 4.6%.
Sports
2016 brought everything a sports fan could want, opened by the Super Bowl showdown between Denver Broncos led by Payton Manning, and the Carolina Panthers led by Cam Newton. The Broncos were having a record breaking season in multiple categories of offense and Cam Newton having the best Season of his career. Broncos win 24-10. The Cleveland Cavilers faced the Golden State Warriors for the NBA Championship The Golden State Warriors being one of the best teams in NBA history. This season also had LeBron James return to Cleveland. Cleveland wins after losing the first three games in the seven game series. The final major contest was going to game 7 with the Cubs achieving their first World Series win in 107 years. 2016 also saw the retirement of legendary players Payton Manning, Kobe Bryant and Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez.
US Events
At the beginning of the year, a group Sovereign Citizens took over a federal building continuing a trend of armed standoffs after they feel their movement succeeded in a standoff at Bundy Ranch. There also were shootings involving police that resulted in the deaths of Alton Sterling, Philandro Castile, Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott. One of the Justice Department investigations found Baltimore police practices unconstitutional, and disproportionally targeted African Americans, and people in poor neighborhoods. The increase in the ability to share information increased exposure on the long existing problem. Investigations showed why the problem previously seemed small was the lax reporting standards for shootings involving police, and the numbers that reported were rarely centralized to analyze national trends and notice problems. It also found police with misconduct could control their service record and quickly move to a new precinct with no idea that they had done anything at their previous post. Our nation has a high number of these "gypsy cops." The greater visibility for this increased the pushes for political action leading to the growth of Black Lives Matter protests, and protests in the NFL during the national anthem. The year also had several ambushes of police and a rise in spree killings. These spree killings include the Orlando shooting, the attempted New York bombing, two mall attacks and several others. There no real changes in laws to try and reduce these incidents. These type of killings have historically been a problem, but greater visibility may drive future change. After a legal battle with the FBI Apple refuses to decrypt an iPhone used by San Bernardino shooter, stating it could set a dangerous precedent. The FBI could get in on their own and find no new information. All of these events causing a period when trust in US institutions is at a historic low .
LGBT
After 2015, a year when Caitlyn Jenner declared she was planning to transition to female, and the Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage nationwide. LGBT rights continued to be in the national consciousness. Charlotte, North Carolina passes a non-decimation bill leading to North Carolina legislator passing a state mandate requiring individuals to use the bathroom of the gender they were born. In December, Charlotte repeals its ordinance after an agreement with the state to do the same; which the state did not honor. Secretary Ash Carter announces plans to lift the ban on transgender people serving in the military will be lifted and Eric Fanning becomes the first openly gay secretary of a branch of the armed forces.
US Politics
The major parties moved the primaries and debates for the US election further back. This protracted political process heightened awareness of politics in the US and lead to a heated process that sharply divided the country. Donald Trump was elected as the next president of the United States and wins Time Magazine's Person of the Year. This year also saw a thawing of historic rivals. The US grow closer to Cuba as well as significant progress in the US-Japan relationship. Obama visits Hiroshima and the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, visited Pearl Harbor. The US and Iran sign a historic nuclear deal. The Justice Department also rules to stop using private prisons stating they are neither cheaper nor more efficient than state-run prisons. Several states vote to loosen restrictions on marijuana.
World Events
OPEC increases oil production, decreasing global oil prices. Lowered oil prices reduce the GDP of many South American countries leading to shortages of essential goods and periods of hyperinflation. Syria descends into chaos during a time when the Syrian government tries to defeat rebel forces that arose after the brutal crackdown on citizens during the Arab Springs movement. ISIS uses this environment expand further. The turmoil caused a massive wave of refugees and migrants moving to Europe straining relations between EU countries. There are several terrorist attacks further straining EU countries willingness to accept more people. The UK votes to leave the European Union leading to David Cameron resignation. Brexit caused UK bonds to lose AAA rating and a massive devaluation of Sterling. Turkey experiences an attempted coup, and this leads to a state of emergency and crackdowns on perceived dissidents. Russia’s prime minister is assassinated after Russia aids Syria in its siege of Aleppo. Russia experiences further sanctions after hacking into the DNC and releasing damaging information about the Democratic Party to influence the US election. This year was also filled with several important political decisions. The UN signs resolution which calls on Isreal to stop all settlement activity in Palestine territory, International Courts rule against China’s claims to the South China Sea, and Columbia signs historic peace deal with FARC rebel group.
In writing for Odyssey these past five months I have had an excellent experience thanks to my readers and fellow community members. I have learned a lot, and have worked to improve my writing to try and bring independent news to my readers. I thank those of you who have shared my stories or those who stopped by just to read. I have had several articles exceed my expectation like my articles on why people vote the way they do, what history says about a Trump presidency, Trumps most likely change to education, and the local economic impact of the legalization of recreational marijuana. I have also had several that weren’t seen as much as I had hoped like the effects of countries ditching cash, the legal history of the war on terror, and how polls are conducted and what affects their accuracy. I thank you once again for your continued readership and together we have reached just over 2500 views. I want to wish you all a happy new year, and if 2016 was not your year, take this opportunity to think of ways to take a more active role in changing yourself, your community or your nation.
Carpe Annum.
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