Hi! How’s the future? I’m writing this letter at the end of October, but by the time it reaches you, it will be at least November 6th. You have lived through plenty of things I have yet to experience, including Halloween, the BYU vs. UCF game, and the United States presidential election. This, of course, gives you the upper hand. Please try not to rub it in.
There’s so much I wish I could ask you. Did I end up finding a Halloween costume? Are the Cougars still undefeated? And then there are the endless election questions: who won? Did any states flip? How did natural disasters, election trust, and identity politics impact outcomes? You already hold answers to these questions, while I must patiently wait.
To me, you appear to be in a position of relative certainty. Does it feel that way to you? Somehow, I doubt it. Perhaps you aren’t even certain about election results–some experts predict it will be muddy for weeks. Or maybe these answers have only led to more questions. It seems like we’re always asking what happens next, trying to pin down perpetually shifting tides.
Within this magazine, you’ll find all sorts of attempts to deal with uncertainty. Nate grapples with the chaos following hurricanes. Joe writes of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, wondering about the long- and short-term consequences of hawkishness. Dallin anticipates Utah’s response to the gubernatorial election results, advocating for trust in ballot processes.
What does it look like to trust in the face of uncertainty? Our authors face the same question as they form political opinions, defend policy positions, and reflect on cultural trends. Ultimately, we can’t guarantee that we’ve made accurate predictions. However, in forming and presenting these opinions, we pursue what seems best from our current vantage point. Once we’ve begun this good-faith pursuit, we can engage with others, broaden our vision, and better prepare for whatever comes next. And so, as much as I wish you could write back in time to tell me the future, I’ll be content with the many ways you challenge and deepen my view of the present–no crystal ball, tea leaves, or horoscope necessary.
Sincerely,
Jane Drinkwater
Editor-in-Chief
BYU Political Review