Perfect squares, perfect babies, and perfect gains

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One Caribbean Nation.

2025:
Perfect squares, perfect babies, and perfect gains

By Professor C. Justin Robinson

Ah, 2025—where mathematics meets Wall Street, and Generation Beta makes its debut. For us here in the Caribbean, it's another year to soak up the sun, tackle life's challenges with a smile, and sip on coconut water—or rum, depending on your mood. But what makes 2025 stand out? Grab your patties, your calculators, and your Wi-Fi connection; this year is no ordinary ride.
A Mathematically Perfect Year
First things first: 2025 is a perfect square year, 2025 is the square of an integer, the number 45. It's a rarity in the calendar, the kind of mathematical symmetry that gets nerds everywhere a little giddy. The last time this happened was 1936 (44 squared), back when the world was a very different place. If you missed that one, no worries—we all did. And unless you're planning to upload your consciousness into the cloud, you likely won't be around for the perfect square year, 2116 (46 squared).
Perfect squares are like spotting a double rainbow or hearing your doubles vendor say, "Extra chutney on the house." They remind us that even in the chaos of life, some things are satisfyingly ordered. Here's to 2025: orderly, balanced, and ready to serve up surprises.
The Dawn of Generation Beta
Now let's talk babies—2025's other great gift. The first newborns of this year not only got their five minutes of fame in the papers but also the honour of being the first members of Generation Beta. This cohort, born from 2025 to 2039, will grow up in a world so futuristic it'll make their Millennial parents feel like they're living in a history textbook.
These Beta babies will be the second generation born entirely in the 21st century and might live to see the 22nd.
Thanks to advances in AI, automation, and who knows what else, they'll grow up in a world where cars drive themselves, virtual reality feels more real than a sunburn after Jouvert, and "working remotely" might involve a beachfront hammock. No more office cubicles—unless the metaverse gets nostalgic.
Picture it: a Caribbean Beta baby on an e-scooter in the rum aisle, perfecting their patois with the help of AI. Their parents? Mostly Gen Zers and young Millennials, known for TikTok dances and Googling how to boil water. These kids, though, will have their own charm, a vibe entirely unique to their high-tech yet sun-soaked upbringing.
Wall Street: Perfect Gains or Bullish Blunder?
Meanwhile, on Wall Street, 2025 arrives with cautious optimism. The S&P 500 soared more than 20 per cent in both 2023 and 2024—the kind of back-to-back gains that make even your most sceptical uncle consider ditching his mattress stash for an Exchange Traded Fund. Analysts aren't predicting a third round of fireworks but expect a solid 10 per cent rise for 2025.
2025 in the Caribbean: Perfectly Ours
As 2025 unfolds, let's embrace the perfect squares, perfect babies, and maybe even some perfect gains. But most importantly, let's infuse it with our Caribbean flair. Whether you're crunching numbers, raising a Beta baby, or finally chasing down that $50 your cousin borrowed in 2022, this year is a chance to dream big.
So here's to 2025—a year that's not just a number but a vibe. Mathematically rare, generationally fresh, and economically promising, it's ours to make the most of.
Whether you're sipping sunshine or rum, let's make it unforgettable. Cheers to 2025, Caribbean style!

Professor Justin C. Robinson is Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.

Barbados Today Tuesday, 7th., January 2025

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