‘Lack of Brains Hinders Research’ and other confusing headlines: A countercultural but vital resolution for the new year

We’ve all seen confusing newspaper headlines. Some of my favorites are: 

• “Kids Make Nutritious Snacks”
• “Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant”
• “Complaints About NBA Referees Growing Ugly”
• “2 Sisters Reunited after 18 Years at Checkout Counter”
• “Hospitals Are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors”
• “Lack of Brains Hinders Research.”

Now we’ve stepped into a day that is confusing as well. Today is the first day of the new decade. 

Or is it? 

Is this the beginning or the end of the decade? 

Most of the world follows the Gregorian calendar, which started with the year 1. As a result, decades should logically end with years that end with a 0. In other words, the next new decade would begin on January 1, 2021. Or so the US Naval Observatory and the Farmers’ Almanac insist. 

Making things more complicated: In 731 AD, a monk known as the Venerable Bede established that the years before Christ’s birth were to be known as “BC.” However, he didn’t include a year zero in his calculations. As a result, the year before 1 AD was 1 BC. Thus, the first decade was completed with the year 10 AD. 

Here’s the problem: People commonly think of decades as aligning with the years that denote them. It would be strange for the “Eighties” to include 1990. And psychologists point to a phenomenon called “round number bias” by which we prefer to start new decades on an even-numbered year. 

The times are so confusing we’re even confused about the times. But there’s a simple resolution we can keep beginning today that will make a transforming difference in our lives across the year to come. 

A surprising survey 

Writing for the New York Times, Tim Herrera praises the value of solitude. He notes that it helps regulate our emotions, conveying a calming effect that prepares us to better engage with other people. Solitude also replenishes us in vital ways: it helps us discover new ideas and interests, improves…