In 1790, George Washington referred to the new American government as “…the last great experiment in promoting human happiness.” Through nearly two and a half centuries it has been tested by every generation, sometimes more than others, though one would be hard-pressed to find too many threats to our democracy greater than today. The Civil War, the Great Depression, Pearl Harbor and World War II — this current period will surely find its way to that list in testing this “Great Experiment.”

Following a year made frantic by chaos and existential angst, 2020 will be all about ways to inject control, calm and clarity into a world that can seem to be spinning out of control. In her annual report, Marian explores trends that will emerge or grow in the new year, from our obsession with physical touch and our love-hate relationships with our smart devices to our efforts to protect ourselves from dangers ranging from air pollution and traffic congestion to cybercriminals.