Fear Index

MILD ANXIETY

ASTEROID COLLISION

It’s impossible to say with certainty, but experts believe that the odds of a serious strike in the coming year are very, very low.

GLOBAL WINE SHORTAGE

The drought reported in December proved more bark than bite–production levels were low in 2012 but bounced back in 2013.

U.S. GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

The recent budget deal practically assures that there won’t be a shutdown, but if there’s a debt-ceiling catastrophe, all bets are off.

WINTER-IMMUNE COCKROACHES

An Asian species discovered in New York City made headlines. Luckily, its impact will be dulled by the roaches’ inability to breed with their American cousins.

FULL FRONTAL FROM MILEY

She came close in the video for her hit single “Wrecking Ball.” What 2014 will bring is anyone’s guess.

THE HEAT THREE-PEAT

The NBA’s top teams are undeniably talented, but Derrick Rose’s season-ending injury cleared a path for LeBron and company.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE SEQUEL

Paramount, which owns the rights to the original film, says it will fight any follow-up. Sequel producers are pressing forward anyway.

SHARK ATTACK

There were just 55 confirmed incidents in 2013, down from 81 in 2012, but attacks have been growing more frequent for decades.

COMPLETE PANIC