January 2026 Issue

A MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM

Hope is a beautiful thing. For all our flaws, humanity is a doggedly resilient species, capable of astonishing faith and endurance. Remember that hope has been instrumental in every revolution in human history - because there is no change without hope. Abolitionists, suffragettes, the partisan resistance to Fascism: all of them shared hope and a belief in a better future. And hope isn’t just a historical occurrence - it’s everywhere in our media. Whether in films like the original Star Wars Trilogy, books like the Hunger Games, or the iconic “We are the People”song, hope is alive and kicking. 

This month’s theme, therefore, represents everyone’s expectations for the coming year. Everyone hopes that 2026 will be different, and change certainly seems to be in the cards. Will democracy collapse? Will we stop climate change? Will you finally clean out your closet? Only our actions will tell. 

In this edition, our writers have examined hope’s many facets, including hope across cultures and mythology (think Pandora’s box), in the scientific world, and finally, in changing our day to day habits. 

Drink water, and enjoy the read!