From the Editors

Before anyone tries to say any differently, the 2010s are over. We know, number sets in a decimal system generally go from one to ten. So decades should be no different, right? Wrong. Was the last day of the 1980s December 31st, 1990? While it's certainly arguable, let's try to think of it this way: when does the day begin? Most conventional thinking would tell you that it's 12:00 a.m. on the dot. That means that theoretically, everything up until the last Planck time is part of that day (in case you were wondering, one unit of Planck time is the smallest theoretical measurement that has any meaning, lasting 10-43 seconds).

In simpler terms, when we count down to the new year, we don't count down to the first moment of the last day of the new year, we count down to the first moment of the new year. 

And here for us now, some very satisfying numerology takes place. First off, it's 2020. Even Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters can clearly see that it's a nice round number. It may not have the millennial distinction that we had in the year 2000, but it's darn close. It's balanced. 

Next, the current issue date happens to be January 1. Though Bono claims that all is generally quiet on New Year's Day, our unsympathetic biweekly calendar dictated that this is when our issue would fall. 

Finally, the Reader itself has finally reached double digits when it comes to its volume number. See there on the cover? It says Vol. 10, No. 1. On January, 1, 2020. 

This is essentially an OCD dream come true. The stars have aligned!

It makes sense then, looking linearly through various astral bodies, to get a little retrospective. We wouldn't want old acquaintances to be forgotten and never brought to mind at a time like this, now would we? If you picked up our last issue, you might see some similarities. But it's not every day we get to rightfully celebrate a decade.

We love lists. In this issue you'll find many. We put together a sizable "decade in review" piece to relive and recount some of the many things that made the 2010s what they were for Erie. At long last as well, you'll find the winners of this year's Best of Erie Awards (along with some excellent photos from Sam Peterson and Jessica Hunter). There are also lists of the decade's best film, television, and albums as well, in addition to a few key local releases you'll want to give another go-round. 

So take a cup of kindness yet, in the days of this new time. As we leave behind the 2010s and look ahead to the next decade, we do it optimistically. There are boundless important moments (and units of Planck time) ahead of us in the 2020s.