As humans nervously peer into the year ahead, one uniquely qualified commentator has laid out his vision for 2026. Darren, the beloved cartoon dog from the pen of acclaimed illustrator Stephen Collins, has shared his annual predictions in The Guardian, offering a refreshingly canine perspective on the follies and foibles of human society.
A Dog's-Eye View of Human Affairs
Published on 2nd January 2026, the single-panel cartoon features Darren, the sharp-witted terrier, reclining in his basket and delivering a monologue to his unseen owner. His predictions, delivered with the dry wit characteristic of Collins's work for The Guardian, span the technological, political, and social landscapes. He foresees a world where human behaviour remains stubbornly unchanged, despite the relentless march of supposed progress.
In a standout forecast, Darren predicts that artificial intelligence will finally achieve a monumental breakthrough: the ability to generate a genuinely funny, original joke. However, in a twist that perfectly captures Collins's satirical eye, Darren notes that no human will be able to understand the punchline. This neatly skewers both our awe of AI and the often-impenetrable nature of high-tech innovation.
Political Satire and Social Commentary
The cartoon dog does not shy away from political prognostication. With a weary cynicism, Darren anticipates that a major political party will solemnly pledge to mend the country's social fabric. The punchline? Their chosen method will be to literally appoint a Minister for Mending. This barbed prediction lampoons the political tendency to create new roles and slogans rather than enact substantive, complex solutions to deep-seated problems.
Further extending his critique to consumer culture and environmental posturing, Darren envisions the rise of the 'eco-guilt holiday'. This would be a travel experience where participants pay a premium to visit blighted industrial sites, wallowing in a mixture of shame and fascination. It's a sharp observation on the commodification of ethical concerns and the performative aspects of modern environmentalism.
The More Things Change...
The genius of Darren's predictions lies in their reflection of enduring human traits. He forecasts that scientists will confirm a universal constant: the time spent arguing about where to eat is directly proportional to the number of people involved. This, like the best of Collins's work, finds humour in the mundane, shared frustrations of daily life.
Ultimately, the cartoon's power is in its simplicity and accuracy. Through Darren's voice, Stephen Collins holds up a mirror to contemporary anxieties and absurdities, from our fraught relationship with technology to the cyclical nature of political empty promises. The piece serves as a reminder that while the year may change from 2025 to 2026, the fundamental quirks of human nature remain wonderfully, frustratingly predictable—at least to a perceptive dog in a basket.
Stephen Collins, long celebrated for his contributions to The Guardian and other publications, continues to use Darren as a perfect vehicle for incisive, warm-hearted satire. This 2026 instalment proves that some of the clearest commentary on our times comes not from sprawling think-pieces, but from a few well-chosen words by a cartoon terrier.
