A place for predictions

摘要

Every November The Economist publishes its compilation of predictions for the year ahead. This year, as well as producing The World in 2009, we are also trying something extra: a blog of the same name with musings on what to expect in 2009. Launched this week, it will discuss some of the themes that we are considering as we put together the annual publication. It also gives readers the chance to comment and point to events or trends we may otherwise miss.rnSome things we know for sure will be happening in 2009 (from America having a new president to Barbie celebrating herrn50th birthday); other issues are interesting because opinions on them will differ (the scale of the global economic slowdown, for example, or the likely price of oil); and there will be events that few people expected that turn out to be vital (such as the bank bail-outs of 2008).