What is the word of year, so far? In one word, what is 2026 telling us? Us, being the human race. Since virtually anyone in a developed country over the age of, say ten, has a “window to the world” in his or her hand or back pocket or perse, they have access to the world. Scroll away. There are massive amounts of fluff and whimsy, as well as sobering encounters with many sorrowful scenarios. If asked to sum up what to make of much of the “news” in one word, what word, right now, would be likely often invoked?

Allow me to submit my vote for the word that sums up 2026, 4.5 months into it: Unhinged. Of course, literally and figuratively, unhinged connotes a lack of stability. Are your door hinges screwed-in tightly? Literally, if your door hinge or hinges come loose, that door becomes unstable. Maybe even a dangerously so. Beyond that literal example, figuratively or metaphorically, unhinged may connote being confused, disordered, chaotic, irrational or wildly uncontrollable. Or, insane, demented, disturbed, unbalanced. Think of 2026, however you encounter things, directly or by way of your digital window to the world. What do you make of things, whether in your own hood, or hoods far flung from home. Maybe “unhinged” is an appropriate choice for manyof all the words words in the English language, or any of the approximate 7,159 “living” languages besides English. My guess is in each of those several thousand alternate languages, there is a word that also approximates if not directly translates as unhinged.

If much of the world strikes some as being unhinged, do you think some of the non-human animal species have their own vocabularies, their own “languages” that reflect a similar sense of unease in the air?

As far as non-human species having their unique form of language, many indeed do. Among other non-human species that have language skills there are: Baboons. Birds. Elephants. Bats. Prairie Dogs. Dolphins. Whales. Sea Lions. Bees. Mollusks. Racoons. Plus other, natch. How are they “feeling” these days? Of course, none of the above have a verbal language. You likely recognize “arf” and “meow”. Tweets are heard everyday. Or a growl. Screech? What are they saying? My guess is they are capable of conveying a range of emotions, with whatever body language and “vocalizations” they may utilize. You know, joy, comfort, fear, aggression, distress. Lots of distress? Do some critters that thrive by air, land or sea get really agitated? Maybe fight like cats and dogs, or become bat-shit crazy, kicking the stall all night? Maybe, just maybe they become unhinged? Possibly, but they are no competition for we humans when it comes to unhingedness. We are unhinged like nobody’s business these days, I would contend. Animals have that advanced sense of somethings is not quite right, because many many many humans sense the same.

But the antidote this affliction relates directly to the natural world and all that wildlife out there, living in their element. Do we not often take those walks in the park, or hike a trail, or stroll along the seashore. Maybe go camping. Listen to Nature. Sure, much better than pharmaceuticals and alcohol or street drugs, is Nature! Landscapes, seascapes, up in the air, where the sounds of the of the birds, baboons, elephants, hawks, whales, dolphins, prairie dogs or frogs can be heard. Cicadas. Crikets. Even the rustling of leaves in trees. Maybe a lucky ladybug will land on you. Mother Nature, and her un-hinging healing powers!

Nature can get our loose hinges in working order, in one comforting day, or a week away from it all. Become un-unhinged. Get out there in Nature. Maybe even stay there. After all, look at how mellow and serene a soul was Jane Goodall, who spent six decades with her chimpanzee pals. She showed us all how to be mellow amongst Nature. Very inspirational was she.

On the other hand, don’t try the Timothy Treadwell “get to Nature” lifestyle, who kept company with Alaskan Grizzly Bears for 13 years. Goodall died aged 91 of natural causes. Treadwell was killed by one of his Grizzly acquaintances at age 46. Was that grizzly unhinged. Or was he?

Oh well. Good luck with those hinges. Naturally.