As a new year, 2012, gains traction and rolls forward, it's only natural to look ahead and wonder what the next 12 months will bring. Even without a crystal ball, we can make a few predictions that almost certainly will come true. For example:

-- Situations and circumstances will continue to change, often in ways that we don't expect.

-- Socializing on the social media will reach new heights (again).

-- Even more fascinating electronic gadgets will go on sale.

-- More print versions of newspapers and magazines will collapse, powerless to compete with free content on the Internet. Television executives will scream in anguish, their businesses eroded by online viewing.

-- The American presidential election will dominate world news, receiving vastly more attention than it deserves.

-- Global warming will make people sweat and talk a lot, but most won't change their long-established, polluting behavior.

-- Although people may wish for world peace, wars will continue.

-- In one region or another, more dictators and tyrants will fall out of power, the monuments they erected to themselves tumbling, as they plunge into disgrace.

-- Government and business practices in many countries, including China, will remain riddled with corruption.

-- Hong Kong will get saddled with a new political leader, but not one its people want.

-- China will imprison many of its best people for daring to engage in dissent.

-- North Koreans will suffer, with many starving, as their national leader boasts and struts, being bellicose but politically and economically impotent.

-- Almost everywhere, many celebrities will behave like idiots.

-- New scandals will erupt.

-- Most importantly (this last one may require a little luck), 2012 won't be the year when human existence ends. Everyone will begin 2013 a year older and maybe a little wiser.

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