2024’s top things according to Mel and the universe
With the end of 2024 approaching at rapid speed, the idea to collate some of 2024’s top things according to experts sprung to life… however, as part of this, we realised quickly that the experts aren’t always spot on.
Which is why we’ve decided to do Mel’s Version™ - a collation of the top 2024 things across the board, such as Dymocks' book of the year and Macquarie Dictionary’s word of the year, alongside Mel’s. So, if you’re ready to see what 2024 brought to both the world of Mel and the rest of the universe, here is our list:
Pantone’s Colour of the Year
This year's hue, according to design experts, is a soft and chocolatey brown known as "Mocha Mousse 17-1230".
This is decided by the PANTONE Colour Institute, a "global colour authority and provider of professional colour language standards".
Mel’s Colour of the Year
I’m going with green. Partly because my indoor plan addiction reached new heights this year, but also because the climate change issue has become more and more real this year.
The Oxford, Macquarie and Cambridge Word(s) of the Year
brain rot - (n.) Supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as a result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging. Also: something characterized as likely to lead to such deterioration.
manifest - (v.) To use methods such as visualisation and affirmation to help you imagine achieving something you want, in the belief that doing so will make it more likely to happen.
enshittification - (n.c) The gradual deterioration of a service or product brought about by a reduction in the quality of service provided, especially of an online platform as a consequence of profit-seeking.
Mel’s Word of the Year
The award for the most over-used, useless word of the year goes to ‘optimise’. My most-adopted word of the year is thanks to Gen Z, ‘slaps’. It just has a great ring to it!
Dymock’s Book of the Year
The Ministry of Time, by Kaliane Bradley - In the near future, a disaffected civil servant is offered a lucrative job in a mysterious new government ministry gathering 'expats' from across history to test the limits of time-travel.
Mel’s Book of the Year
Well, my book, obviously. But in all seriousness, of all the books I’ve read this year (and it’s a lot), it’s a tie between Look Again, by Tali Sharot and Cass Sunstein, and How to Change, by Katy Milkman. If you’re keen to understand more about why we do the things we do, these are must-read books.
Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year
Oppenheimer won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Picture, and has become the highest-grossing best picture winner since Lord of the Rings: Return of the King in 2004. It is also the first film to win best picture, actor and supporting actor since Ben Hur in 1960.
Mel’s Movie of the YearI didn’t watch a lot of movies this year, but of those I did see, Deadpool & Wolverine was up there, alongside Wicked. I like movies where I can escape and have some fun.
Wikipedia’s Most Searched Topic of the Year
Putting the usual “Deaths in 2024” aside, which is the most searched topic every year - Kamala Harris has come in at a very close second for the top searched topic pages for 2024.
Mel’s Most Searched Topic of the Year
‘Why does my cat do …. <insert various weird and annoying things here>?’
Another top contender would be ‘artificial intelligence news’. It’s changed so quickly this year, that I’ve been constantly checking in to see what’s new.
Apple Podcast Show of the Year
Hysterical, a seven-part series investigating a ‘mysterious illness’ that spread among teenage girls in New York, has taken out Apple Podcasts’ 2024 Show of the Year.
Mel’s Podcast Show of the Year
I can’t narrow it down to one, so my top 3 are:
Choiceology, with Katy Milkman
Behavioural Science for Brands, from the Consumer Behaviour Lab
The Economics of Everyday Things, with Zachary Crockett
