Even in 2001, which by all accounts "changed the world", us contrarians at Outlook have managed to find 10 things to cheer about. You may not agree with our choices but few would dispute that amidst the Himalayan gloom this foray into optimism is estimable. As a corrective, however, I felt it would be useful to select five, not 10, things to lament. Naturally, my selection will have the stamp you would expect from a bona fide pseudo-secularist. So, here goes my casualty list.