What are we thinking?
To mark the beginning of a new year, we posed two questions to dozens of Icelanders, old and new. Representatives of every single political party, ministers, mayors and machinists alike (as per usual, the governing parties mostly ignored our queries). We asked them to tell us—in their own unique ways, from their own unique perspectives—what summed up the year 2014, and what they expected of the coming one. We asked them to answer the following:
“Where are we now, at the end of 2014. Looking back, how did that journey begin, and where did it leave us?”
“Furthermore: Where are we headed? What would be the best possible outcome of the year 2015—and what might the worst one entail?”
Or not. There were no restrictions—our correspondents were free to respond in any way, language and format. From their hearts or from their minds.
Through this issue you’ll find the replies we received. Every last one of them. We hope that when read together, in the context of one another, they may give a broad and even enlightening view of how Icelanders as a nation perceived the events of the last twelve months, and what hopes (and/or fears) they harbour for the next twelve. Each and every one speaks for itself, and each one tells a story.
Our hope is that this “perspective-mosaic” might help us gain an insight into and understanding of our current situation. If nothing else, it makes for a pretty fun read.
We had author Alexander Dan wondering what was going on with his back. We had another author, Andri Snær Magnason, declaring that 2015 should be a year of hope. DJ-slash-flâneur Atli Bollason told us of his shattered conceptions. MP Birgitta Jónsdóttir warned of the Octopus Zombies. Dr. Gunni asked for a million people, give or take. Airwaves head Grímur Atlason wondered about green sheep. Pascal Pinon and Samaris’s Jófríður called for harmony. MP Katrín Jakobsdóttir worried about inequality. Musician Kristján Hrannar gave a sobering view. Programmer Karen Pease has just about HAD IT with Iceland. MP Lilja Rafney called for revolution. Journalist María Lilja recalled our scandals. Winner Gunnar Nelson celebrated life. Communications officer Ragnhildur Sverrisdóttir urged us to stop putting price tags on everything. MP Steingrímur J. Sigfússon was very politician-like. Government Press Secretary Sigurður Mar reminded us things aren’t so bad. MP Svandís Svavarsdóttir recounted some problems. Editor Þórður Snær gave a thorough analysis. Musician Biggi Veira is not optimistic about where we’re headed. And MP Vigdís Hauksdóttir sees only wine and roses in our future.
Click through and read on for all their analyses. Because, discourse is important, thoughts are important. It’s all so important.
Enjoy.
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