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December 24, 2009 13:12

There's no doubt that it's been a heck of a year and a trying decade. Many are saying they're grateful that it's over and we can start fresh in 2010. They're hoping for a better 10 years than the past.

If you recall, the new millennium arrived with the threat of computers crashing around the world, something that never happened. However a month and a half into 2000 a computer hacker nicknamed mafiaboy was able to bring some of the world's largest businesses and web domains to their knees. Dell, E-Bay, Yahoo!, Amazon.com, E-Trade and CNN all crashed. This from a Montreal high school student. How secure were our systems? After that, hackers became more and more proficient at spreading viruses and bringing down the technology upon which we have become so reliant.

As a result of these attacks we learned to tighten security around our computers and websites and realized the risks associated with having our private information online.

Then in September of 2001, terrorists hijacked jetliners and crashed them into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York as well as the Pentagon. Brave passengers on a fourth plane overtook the highjackers on their flight, but sadly perished when the plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field.

As a result of these attacks were learned that we were becoming lax in our airline security and national defence strategies. Both were revamped and tightened so that a tragedy like this could never happen again, or at least no so easily.

The last decade also brought its share of threats in the form of diseases. In 2002 and 2003 it was the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, better known as SARS. In 2009 it was the H1N1 virus or Swine Flu.

As a result of these health crises, new vaccines were developed to protect us, more research was conducted into flu viruses and we became better equipped and more knowledgeable about how to keep ourselves healthy.

The truth is, every decade is going bring its fair share of tragedies and challenges. However, it's how we react to them that matters. Usually they make us stronger and better as a society.

From all of our staff at the Alliston Herald, have a very Merry Christmas, and here's to a healthy, happy new year and decade!

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