Contributing Under Challenging Conditions [The Editor's Desk]

This is the last issue of 2011—a tumultuous year that has seen much discouraging news from both nature and human society (e.g., killings due to political instabilities in Northern Africa; Japan's earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 18,000 people and, consequently, caused troubles in a nuclear plant; terrorist attacks in Mumbai and Moscow; and the massacre in Norway by a madman). I truly hope that 2012 will be a better year for the world, and I would very much enjoy headlines in the coming year, such as “USC Wins National Title—Despite NCAA Sanctions!” and “Lakers Beat Heat and Win NBA Championship!” (you will have to pardon me here—I grew up in Los Angeles and spent my undergraduate years at the University of Southern California, so I have been rooting for these teams as far back as I can remember), instead of thinking the disastrous thoughts that reflect the views of those who believe in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar that 2012 is the end of the world.