Was 2016 the worst year ever? | The Tylt
For many, 2016 was the worst year ever. The death of so many cultural icons, a divisive U.S. election for the history books, the rise of nationalism, Syria, lone wolf terrorist attacks, Harambe, etc. But others think we've failed to put the past year into historical context and that says nothing about next year—fraught with political uncertainty, the possibility of economic instability and it's not like Hollywood stars are getting any younger. It could get worse. What do you think?

It's not just in your head. 2016 saw a spike in celebrity deaths, and they skewed younger than normal. It's worth noting that this year was front-loaded and the last six months were in line with normal statistics. But add the amplification effect of social media, and it feels like everyone we know and love is dying. Let's just hope it's an anomaly.
We should probably put 2016 within historical context. We've had a lot of bad years. What about World War II or the year "Howard The Duck" was released?
2016 was the worst. Let's remove the whole celebrity death thing. We're talking massive political upheaval on a scale no one has seen in a lifetime. The total rejection of globalism. The collapse of the status quo. Countries are retreating inward, projecting "us versus them" and electing populists with authoritarian streaks.
We had Aleppo and Nice and the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Tragedy at every turn, with folks powerless to stop it. The house was burning down and we just sipped coffee. 🔥 ☕ 🔥
Ever year is the worst year ever. Humans rarely learn from history. We repeat mistakes. Tragedy is cyclical.
The grim reality is that many of the radical political changes the Western world voted for in 2016—like Trump, Brexit, etc.—won't take effect until 2017 and beyond. So if you thought 2016 was bad, hold on to your butts.
It’s in the nature of years to feel exhausting in retrospect. The world is punishing; we have short collective memories and a cognitive bias that makes us recall bad events more vividly than good ones. The awful folkways of social media—which encourage us to call out bad things in dramatic fashion and then pretend that we’ve been helpful—have led to something of an annual conclusion. Google searches for “worst year ever” spike each December. Every year is the worst year ever, we’ve started to say.
Many, many people are convinced that 2016 is the worst year ever.
All jokes aside, 2016 was collectively one of the worst years ever. what did we do to deserve this year
— . (@giselle_xo) December 27, 2016
2016: the year all the good celebrities died and the worst celebrity on the planet was elected president. Rest in peace Carrie Fisher.
— Zack Cox (@zackry24) December 27, 2016
honestly bitch 2016 been the worst year of my life
— sam (@saimaloveee) December 27, 2016
i think we can all agree 2016 has been the worst year ever we have lost so many wonderful n talented ppl it's so saddening
— ️ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ (@DAREDEVllLS) December 27, 2016
I'm done with 2016. This has been the worst year ever. This garbage needs to hurry up and end already.
— Chance Harbour (@ChanceHarbour) December 27, 2016
Did anyone try unplugging 2016 and plugging it back in?
— Zeynep Tufekci (@zeynep) July 22, 2016
Hey, 2016... 2017 would like a word with you.
Everybody is complaining about 2016 being the worst year ever, meanwhile 2017 is over here like pic.twitter.com/Kt2jHqu9yB
— Siraj Hashmi (@SirajAHashmi) December 27, 2016
Internet: 2016 sucked. Worst year ever.
— Derrière Connoisseur (@BardockObama) December 28, 2016
2017: hold my beer
2016 is the worst year ever
— Asriel (@woke8yearold) December 22, 2016
2017: let me introduce you my friend the emoji movie pic.twitter.com/DOfshC3aUI
2016: I was the worst year
— Moochar (@AsliBinLaden) December 18, 2016
2017: Hi pic.twitter.com/INZfCz5pOl
Other people think calling 2016 the worst year ever is a bit naïve.
If you think 2016 is the worst year ever because a few celebs died then you've lived a pretty easy life. #realtalk
— Lauren (@missscottfraser) December 28, 2016
"2016 has been literally the worst year ever". I imagine 1939 to 1945 was a little bit more challenging to be honest
— Gareth (@thehandofbeadle) December 23, 2016
So, 2016 was the "Worst. Year. Ever." and you "can't even"? 1665 seemed worse since everyone got the plague and literally couldn't even.
— Matt Sebek (@MattSebek) December 28, 2016