And a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025!
As much as I would like to say ‘good riddance’, there were some things I enjoyed in 2024. (And those developments I consider less positive are most likely here to stay for a while, I’m afraid.) So let’s take a little look back…
A selection of topics and events of 2024
First let me first share the New York Times orbituary of Mr Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100 …
Jimmy Carter, Peacemaking President Amid Crises, Is Dead at 100 – The New York Times
(Note: As with all links to the New York Times, you will probably not be able to access them on your own unless you have a subscription. I don’t know how high the paywall currently is with the NYTimes; you might get a few free articles. If you do, this is one to pick, I believe, as not only was Jimmy Carter an admirable statesman, he was also not just a witness, but an active participant in many political events of the last decades.)
Some of the things we talked about in 2024. Do you remember and can you match the images with the topics? Are there any we did not talk about?
The best movies and TV of 2024, picked by NPR critics : NPR
Movie lovers, listen to this 7 minute podcast at National Public Radio:
‘Close Your Eyes’ tops our film critic’s list of the best movies of 2024 : NPR
Mini Film Quiz 2024 – Do you remember?
- Which film won the Oscars?
- What was your favorite movie in 2024?
- Or did you rather stream series – what has been your favorite so far?
- Do you remember? One of my favorite sporcles for movie aficionados 500 Movies in 4 Minutes Quiz
One of my favorite new finds was the Word Games & Quizzes | Merriam-Webster
Interesting article on how predicitons for 2024 worked out:
2024 predictions, revisited: What we got right and wrong | Vox
The 10 charts below are interesting, but they do recall and refer to some more unpleasant developments. However, despite the impression that 2024 was a war-ridden year – and in some regions it definitely was – check the global development and remember Hans Gosling.
Opinion | These 10 Charts Will Help You Understand 2024 – The New York Times
And how about another attempt at New Year resolutions
New Year’s resolution ideas for 2025: Save money, sleep better, get a tattoo : NPR
Topics worth revising from 2024
Tips for embracing winter darkness, from those who experience it for 2.5 months : NPR This was a short podcast about how people in the little town of Svarbard in Norway cope with the winter months that not only bring freezing temperatures but also months of darkness. It has an uplifting, positive feel.
There still are a number of TED talks, TED Eds and Sporcles I haven’t done yet. I would also like to check if we can create our own Geoguessr maps. I was not happy with the ones supposedly related to Christmas – in one we were only sent to some dismally boring intersections in the USA – and I would like to create a festive one of my own.
(to be continued)