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Well, here we go!
It's that time of year again. 2024 brought all sorts of weird. However, the one common thread of this calendar year is that it exposed so much about culture and society - and everything within it. Good and bad. Disgusting and tolerable. The mirror was held up in a lot of places.
Nonetheless, we kick off the "Year-End" season around this slice of the internet called Dome Pondering with the "Most Fascinating Things" post and later, the upcoming, "Year in Review".
Let's do it. The following is my 2024 Most Fascinating Things List:
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10. Joey Swoll
The anti-influencer, influencer. Yeah, that's it. Swoll started as a fitness creator and found his calling in calling out fellow "Influencers" who mock others and utilize poor gym etiquette all in the name of social media and gaining clout. Swoll's mission evolved beyond just gym videos as he now takes down (and on) many social influencers who clearly go above by doing anything for "likes". Swoll's page and work reflect much about how social media has affected reality in our culture and society.
Gotta love his tag - "You need to do better. Mind your own business!" Amen, Swoll.
9. X (formerly Twitter)
Did someone say social media? How about, an absurd reality?
X, (formerly Twitter - isn't it a sign of awful rebranding if we have to keep saying that?) definitely took a turn in 2024. The platform went from a cesspool to, well, whatever is worse than a cesspool. The platform is ripe with some of the most vile content that surely is damaging to the psyche. It's all in "freedom of speech" they say, but the platform's turn in 2024 and overall lack of privacy, verification, and authenticity has opened the discussion broadly regarding social media for government officials for regulation worldwide, but more so, among users themselves.
8. Joe Rogan
I have listened to Joe Rogan's podcast probably a handful of times in the past. I'm not an avid listener and haven't done so since the pandemic. However, even as an outsider to his platform, Rogan's popularity among men during a time when masculinity is being attacked is fascinating (and understanding). Rogan went from popular podcast host to cultural shifter, to outright having a significant impact on the political landscape in our country. Whether you like Rogan or not, there is a lot to be said there regarding his 2024, and so much more to be examined.
7. Drake vs. Kendrick
It has been a while since I can recall a rap war the likes of what we saw from Drake and Kendrick Lamar in 2024. The constant back-and-forth battles, the quick replies, and then...the knockout blow. The battle has taken Kendrick from the conscious rapper for the diehards to headlining the upcoming Super Bowl. The (supposed - depending on who you ask) defeat, has rocked Drake's career and stardom. Hip Hop took a big leap in 2024, and possibly another chapter following these two going blow for blow.
6. 2024 Summer Olympics
This year's Summer Olympics felt like no other. There was just so much going on. There was the greatness of Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky; the world gets flipped on its side over Imane Khelif and her gender; Noah Lyles annoying Americans with his "World Champions" discussion, the controversial opening ceremony; Raygun and breakdancing; shooting and rifling memes; Caitlin Clark being left off of the Olympic team (always something Caitlin Clark); and so much more. All of it was awesome for those two sports-filled weeks in the summer.
5. Education Climate in America
This gets a repeat spot in 2024. After making my list in 2023 for the clash of identity politics meeting school boards head-on, in 2024 we got another layer, this time at the higher education level. We saw many liberal arts colleges close their doors, the impending "enrollment cliff" on pace to happen in 2025 with fewer students going to college, more and more campuses being used as spaces for political action and protests, and the continued perception and value of higher education take another step backwards. Yes, this even includes college athletics.
Now with a new Presidential administration and a possible elimination of central funding, now is the time - with urgency! - that we must examine our education climate. We've got to do better.
4. WWE
The WWE continues to stay hot. I don't remember a storyline as amazing as "The Bloodline". The WWE will tell you business is booming, and they aren't lying! It's topping the "Attitude Era" in all metrics from the late 90s.
The success has also spilled over into many other options, and companies are doing great work and doing business as well. Pro Wrestling is in a boom again, and it's been fascinating and all the more exciting to take in.
3. Katt Williams
I thought Katt Williams was absolutely out of his mind when I initially saw the highlights from this podcast. Because he usually is! But the more 2024 rolled along, the more that interview with Shannon Sharpe (Club Shay Shay) felt authentic. Damn, maybe Katt ain't crazy after all!
We saw many celebrities "fall" and "truths be told" as Katt quipped as only he could while sipping on some stuff! The memes became stamps after each story came forward. Of course, there was some random nonsense in there as well. As 2024 closes, it really does make you wonder, who else knows some of this secret stuff we're all finding out now? And why does it feel like Katt is on to something!!!!
2. Hawk Tuah
Look, I have no problem with Hailey Welch. You got your big break - I'm all for you running with that as fast, as far, and as lucrative as you can make it.
However, for me, it's not my thing. Truthfully, I found the entire thing to be cringe. Watching grown men with "Hawk Tuah" shirts around Target just felt, well, so 2024. Come on, my guy!
Even further, I found it insanely fascinating as it's such a microcosm of where we are in society. The girl responds to content with lewd/shocking comments for the internet and clout. And now we've got podcasts, clothing lines, and much more. It's utterly fascinating what we do with the power of stardom these days. And for me, Hawk Tuah is the most fascinating of case studies.
1. Caitlin Clark
Nothing was more stuck at the center of culture and society than Caitlin Clark.
Ohhhhhh, Caitlin Clark...
There is so much that can be said in this space, which is why she's clearly in my top spot for Most Fascinating Topic in 2024! I'll simply state this, I've never seen an individual so desperately used by others to reflect and push forward so many variations of their narratives, their political agendas, and their historical discourse - all while reflecting on us, our inept ability to carefully and intelligently unpack said discourse(s).
Clark is a unicorn in this. I've never seen it before. Clark has broken our society and unveiled blindspots for so many.
And for what it's worth, she has handled it all with such amazing grace for a twenty-two-year-old who literally just wants to live out her dream of hooping in the WNBA.
The whole entire thing is so damn fascinating.