We asked our leadership team to employ a crystal ball. Here are their predictions for 2022 along with some hopes regarding the work that CFIC must undertake.
Alex predicts that “Things will get worse before they get better, because technological and cultural forces will continue to overwhelm us. In the coming year, we’ll see more distractedness, more tribalism, and more polarization — at the cost of less deliberation, less fraternity, and less connection.”
He also aptly suggests that we should be active in creating the future: “A bigger, yet slower, shift against certain forms of religious practice will accelerate. Each of us will have a role to play in determining the extent to which humanity stays away from nonsense, or merely replaces one superstition with another.”
Regarding CFIC’s 2022 priorities, he says: “Reason needs a voice, now more than ever. We must be that voice, and a champion for evidence and clarity. We must lift up, and give refuge to, anyone who suffers for speaking up for empiricism. With our help, each candle in the dark will stay aflame, until the day that darkness has receded entirely.”
Onur assures us “we will prosper. Enlightenment is inevitable.”
He has some big ideas for moving our mandate into the broader public: “Lobbying. Political action. Research reports. Petitions. Online Polls.” (CFIC is looking for volunteers with a strong background in media relations to help us get the message out. If you are that someone, please apply to be a volunteer.)
Gus has a highly accurate crystal ball (possibly with a sense of humour). He assures us that the Leafs will win the Stanley Cup in 2022. (If Gus’ prediction comes true, we skeptics will all jump on board the crystal ball bandwagon.)
Seanna’s prediction combines her love of Star Trek, her satirical sense of humour and a bit of optimism. “My prediction for 2022 is that the dominant strains of SARS-COV2 will have mutated to be as mild as the common cold, but we will run out of Greek letters, and start using the Klingon alphabet instead.”
Diane’s prediction also relates to COVID: We will conquer or at least tame the SARS-COV2 pandemic.
Diane must have been wearing her Critical Thinking Chair hat for her 2022 priority: “We must not just teach Science but instill in others the need to use Common Sense and Critical thinking skills to combat misinformation and disinformation (propaganda).”
Zack also included COVID in his 2022 predictions:
- COVID enters endemic phase
- Saskatchewan VIDO laboratory COVID vaccine is approved
- McDonalds Canada brings the McRib back
His priorities include:
- Ruthlessly promote the refined missions statement
- Measure its progress against the strategic plan metrics and milestones
- Support the re-launch of the McRib in Canada (Sorry Zack – I don’t think this made it into the strategic plan.)
Edan shows his practical side in his prediction (hope?) for 2022. “One thing I’m always hoping for is that we stop being afraid of the best solution to climate change that we have: nuclear power. It is safer than oil, safer than coal, and not ruining the planet and throwing our future into question.
Edan reminds us that CFIC priorities must be about both ideas and about people: “In addition to tirelessly communicating about science and secularism, we must continue to try to sponsor folks like Omer who need support, including but not limited to folks in Afghanistan.”
We’d also like to take this opportunity to recognize Edan’s role as Managing Editor of Critical Links, and thank him for his tireless efforts to bring you a fresh copy of the newsletter every month.
Mark forwent the crystal ball in favour of deductive reasoning “It seems like the left to the centre gap in politics is becoming more talked about. I think freedom of inquiry and freedom of speech will be talked about more in 2022.”
Mark wants to be sure that CFIC continues what it has done and focuses on a new priority: “Debunking pseudoscience and promoting secular values will always be top priorities but I think fostering a space where people can have discussions about difficult topics is also very important.”
Leslie’s predictions for the coming year:
“The Centre for Inquiry Canada will be launching “Podcast for Inquiry” in January 2022. We urge all CFIC supporters to subscribe and to share with your friends, colleagues, and on social media. This may be the best way for CFIC’s message – supporting science, critical thinking, and secular values – to reach a much wider audience.”
Quebec’s Superior Court ruled largely in favour of Bill 21 in April 2021. Both sides expressed disappointment in the ruling, and the government vowed to appeal. The Quebec Court of Appeals will hear the case in 2022; I predict that, regardless of the ruling, at least one of the parties will seek to take the issue to the Supreme Court of Canada. Though the Supreme Court declines to weigh in on most of the cases it is asked to hear, I believe the constitutionality of Bill 21 will be one of the issues it decides on (though likely not until 2023).
Sandra likes a sure bet, so she predicts that Leslie’s predictions will come true and also that CFIC will roll out a new strategic plan.
Sandra’s priority for 2022 is rolling out the new strategic plan and finding ways to involve more of our members in making it a reality. Our board and many active volunteers have spent much of 2021 looking at and planning for the future. The new strategic plan will be unveiled in January. We must be laser focused on making that plan a reality.
John (a regular contributor to Critical Links) had much to say about next year. Please read “What ‘Lies’ Ahead.)
John has big plans for the coming year: “CFIC stands poised to be an active influencer and for this needs to engage both government and the media. While we might be able to create a presence via our online efforts, visibility in mainstream politics and media will allow a wider demographic of rational folks to root for rationalism, science and humanistic attitudes. Among this demographic, youth and kids are key to advancing the scope of scientific, progressive and critically thinking attitudes that we need for our planet to not just survive, but thrive.”