52 Things I Learned In 2024

Idea shamelessly stolen from Tom Whitwell.

1. Consultants are crushing it in the generative AI race. Accenture’s gen AI revenue outpaced all startups as of June 2024.[Jack Raines]
2. Print outdoor magazines are having their vinyl moment—luxury, nostalgic, and an escape from the endless scroll. Turns out, some people (me included) still love paper. [John Branch]
3. The Kashubian gene refers to a genetic mutation (G1528C in the HADHA gene) associated with LCHAD deficiency, a rare metabolic disorder. It is notably more common in Poland’s Kashubian region due to historical genetic isolation. [Stasia Budzisz in “Welewetka”]
   • This genetic mutation disrupts the metabolism of long-chain fatty acids, leading to an inability to convert these fats into energy. As a result, individuals with LCHAD deficiency may experience:
   • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Episodes of dangerously low glucose levels, particularly during fasting or illness, which can lead to fatigue, irritability, seizures, or even coma if untreated.
   • Organ damage: Accumulation of unmetabolized fatty acids damages the liver (hepatomegaly), heart (cardiomyopathy), muscles (rhabdomyolysis), and retina (retinopathy), potentially causing heart failure, vision loss, or muscle weakness.
   • Neurological and developmental issues: Repeated metabolic crises can result in brain damage, developmental delays, or intellectual disabilities.
   • Life-threatening complications: Without proper management, individuals are at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, or sudden death.
4. Morocco had its hippie trail moment from the 1950s–70s. Young dreamers flocked to Marrakech, Essaouira, and Chefchaouen, chasing enlightenment and boho vibes. [Katarzyna Lawranowicz in Morocco: My Time in Marrakech]
5. The “5th story rule” in Copenhagen refers to a historical building regulation that limited the height of buildings to ensure access to daylight and maintain a human-scale urban environment.
6. Some notable buildings that broke Copenhagen’s “5th story rule” include the Maersk Tower and the Niels Bohr Building.
7. Umm Kulthum is an iconic Egyptian singer. She is lit! Here is one example.
8. A portfolio career is a non-traditional career path where an individual takes on multiple roles simultaneously or sequentially, often combining part-time jobs, freelance work, consulting, or creative pursuits across various industries. Anna Mac is the best resource to learn more about building a successful portfolio career.
9. Spending a week with strangers to care for kids with disabilities? Transformative. Trust me on this one.
10. Writing online is like a cheat code for meeting fascinating people. Seriously, try it.
11. Taking care of yourself makes you more attractive. Shocker, right?
12. The first election in which Italian women participated was on June 2, 1946, marking a historic moment for women’s suffrage in Italy. This election included a referendum to decide between monarchy and republic and the selection of members for the Constituent Assembly, where 21 women were elected, contributing significantly to drafting the Italian Constitution and advocating for gender equality in labor, wages, and maternity protection. I learned more about that thanks to the movie There’s Still Tomorrow. I wrote about that movie here.
13. The Magnificent Seven – Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Tesla, Meta, and Nvidia invested $37.5B in startups this year—more than the VC funding of any individual country, except the US. That’s 12% of global VC.
14. The term Darwinism was coined by Thomas Henry Huxley in his March 1861 review of On the Origin of Species
15. Muscular Christianity emerged in mid-19th century England, promoting physical health, masculinity, and Christian virtues like discipline and self-sacrifice. Advocates such as Charles Kingsley and Thomas Hughes popularized it through literature (e.g., Tom Brown’s School Days), sports, and the YMCA. It aimed to counter Christianity’s perceived “feminization” and foster moral strength through athleticism.
16. Hot Pink still slaps, as do most of the Sophie-produced bangers.
17. Candidates interviewed later in the recruitment process tend to be evaluated more favorably. [Behavioral Economics]
18. Poland overtaking Russia in exports this year? A quiet flex.
19. TV is fading, social media and influencers are rising. I’m late to this, but elections everywhere (US, Romania) keep proving it.
20. Remote work isn’t dead—it just evolved into hybrid work.
21. Gambling can be entertaining, but it’s a terrible strategy for making money.
22. You can start 10 things at once, but you’ll need to double down on what works.
23. Poland plays a key role in IKEA’s global supply chain as the second-largest production country for the brand, accounting for nearly 20% of its total output. Poland produces 50% of the world’s wooden furniture for IKEA. The partnership began in 1961 with a modest order of 500 ÖGLA chairs and has grown into a major collaboration. Today, Poland hosts large-scale operations, including the massive factory in Zbąszynek—one of the largest furniture manufacturing plants in the world.
24. The global housing crisis is driving innovation in modular construction, with Sweden and Japan setting the standard. Companies like Sweden’s Lindbäcks showcase how industrialized methods can deliver high-quality housing efficiently. Meanwhile, in the U.S., modular housing is still underutilized, making up only 3% of the market. MOD X, co-founded by architect Ivan Rupnik, is determined to change that by drawing on global best practices and tackling institutional barriers. [Amir Hamja]
25. The Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah showcased Saudi Arabia’s significant investment in global sports, part of its Vision 2030 initiative to diversify the economy. Despite its elaborate production and modernizing rule changes, low attendance highlighted the region’s limited tennis history and logistical hurdles for fans. [Kevin Nguyen]
26. Hawk-Eye has revolutionized tennis with millimeter-accurate ball tracking, replacing line judges and elevating officiating. It’s more than replays—Hawk-Eye’s data powers virtual match recreations and player analysis, transforming performance insights. [Kevin Nguyen]
27. The Torrevieja desalination plant in Spain is the largest in Europe, capable of supplying water to 1.6 million people. It produces over 60 million gallons of fresh water daily. [Stanley Reed and Rachel Chaundler]
28. Around 500 million people worldwide rely on desalinated water, and that number is expected to rise to 3 billion by mid-century. [Stanley Reed and Rachel Chaundler]
29. In our rush for speed and efficiency, we often overlook the diminishing returns of faster actions, whether on the road or in life. Pushing harder for minimal time savings comes at significant risk, yet we prioritize speed over quality, forgetting that sometimes slowing down offers greater value in the long run. [Rory Sutherland]
30. I don’t believe that belief alone will allow you to achieve everything you want, but believing makes your life easier and better. As shown in the research, when parents believe in the possibility of upward economic mobility—the core of the “American Dream”—they invest more time and resources in their children’s development. This belief doesn’t guarantee success but motivates actions that improve outcomes, proving that while belief isn’t everything, it shapes behaviors that can make a significant difference. [Source]
31. Sriracha sauce is a story of cultural exchange and reinvention. It originated in Thailand in the 1930s as a mild, tangy chili sauce created by Thanom Chakkapak. Decades later, David Tran, a Vietnamese refugee in the U.S., reimagined it into the spicier, garlicky “rooster sauce” that became a global icon. [Sriracha2Go]
32. The NBA 3-pointer Moneyball revolution made the game unbearable. [Ben Golliver and Artur Galocha]
33. Netflix’s biggest rival? YouTube [Tom Jones and David Crowther]
34. Faroe Islands is fascinating. Just take a look at this deep dive by Chris Arnade.
35. Online self-presentation compulsion is the overwhelming urge to curate a perfect image on social media, often driven by the need for validation and fear of judgment. This behavior can lead to compulsive checking for likes and comments, heightening anxiety and lowering self-esteem. The pressure to maintain an idealized persona online often creates a stressful gap between one’s real self and their digital image. [Source]
36. Comfort is a very modern concept; for most of history, people didn’t know it, it didn’t exist, or it meant something entirely different (something like “to comfort someone,” meaning consolation or support). [Witold Rybczyński in Home: A Short History of an Idea]
37. The idea of the home as we understand it today emerged in the Netherlands around the 17th and 18th centuries, driven by the country’s wealth, small size, and frugality. Homes were small by the standards of the time, typically housing five people. Gardens were compact, and property ownership was crucial for the Dutch. The concept of “homeliness” was largely shaped by Dutch women, who spent most of their time at home while men conducted business outside.
38. During World War II, Morocco, under French colonial rule, saw its Jewish population impacted by Vichy anti-Semitic laws. Although Jews in Morocco weren’t subjected to the same violence as in Europe, many sought refuge there, and the local community offered support to Jewish refugees. King Mohammed V famously protected the Jews, refusing to enforce discriminatory laws imposed by the Vichy regime.
39. During World War I, Morocco was a French protectorate, and the country was indirectly involved in the conflict. Morocco’s strategic location in North Africa meant it played a role in the broader context of colonial powers, with French and German interests in the region. Moroccan soldiers, known as “Chasseurs marocains,” fought for France in Europe, especially on the Western Front. The war also influenced local politics and led to increased tension between the indigenous Moroccan population and French authorities.
40. The name “Marrakech” comes from the Berber word “mur akush”, which means “Land of God” or “God’s Land.” Founded in the 11th century, Marrakech became one of Morocco’s most important cities, serving as the capital, a major trade hub, and a spiritual center of the region.
41. “Liquid love” is a term that can be interpreted in different ways depending on the context. In sociology, it was popularized by the Polish sociologist Zygmunt Bauman, who used it to describe the fluid, transient nature of modern relationships. According to Bauman, in today’s fast-paced, consumer-driven society, relationships often lack permanence and depth, akin to a liquid that is constantly changing shape, easily flowing away, and hard to hold onto.
42. The term “emotional precariat” refers to individuals who experience emotional instability and insecurity due to the precariousness of their socio-economic status. People in this group may face difficulties in establishing stable relationships, maintaining mental well-being, and managing stress, as their emotional health is deeply affected by the lack of long-term job security, social safety nets, and societal support systems.
43. If I want to stay productive, getting out of the house helps. Whether it’s the office, a library, or a coffee shop, just being outside the four walls makes a difference.
44. Zbigniew Uniłowski (1909–1937) was a Polish writer who, in his youth, worked as a waiter at the “Astoria” restaurant in Warsaw. It was there that Karol Szymanowski noticed him reading the works of Joseph Conrad and decided to help him. Szymanowski provided financial support, enabling Uniłowski to pursue education and literary development. Thanks to this help, Uniłowski was able to spend more time in Zakopane, which was beneficial for his health as he suffered from tuberculosis.
45. In Wspólny pokój (The Common Room), Uniłowski predicted the way he would die. His character, reflecting his own personal struggles and health issues, foretold his own demise from tuberculosis, a disease that ultimately took his life at a young age.
46. Mars prioritizes Return on Total Assets (ROTA) as its primary financial metric. Unlike many companies that focus on profit margins or short-term earnings, Mars uses ROTA to drive growth by minimizing assets while delivering strong returns.
47. “I am yet to find anything written about money that expresses the epiphany I had some years ago. Money is electricity, not coal. Its power is in the flow. If you try and hoard it, it degrades. It has to be kept moving. And then the mindset shifts from asking how do I acquire it to asking how do I step into this flow of trillions and trillions of dollars changing hands every day? This then makes it much easier to also spend money – when you see yourself as an ephemeral steward of it as it passes through you.” [Tom Morgan]
48. “One line that was repeated often was ‘if you’re not arguing, you don’t care’. If there isn’t dialogue about what to improve, things never will actually improve. It’s wading among the imperfections, the small bumps, the arguments that are frothy and angry and loud because love is an art – weaving acceptance and faith. Kindness despite adversity.” [Kyla Scanlon]
49. The term “thinkboy” is often associated with individuals who adopt intellectual or philosophical stances as a way of gaining social status, without necessarily engaging deeply with the ideas they espouse. It’s sometimes used to describe someone who prides themselves on their intellectual image rather than their actual ideas or actions. [Kamil Stanuch]
50. There’s an AI for That, you know?
51. There are also Strava jockeys who’ll make you look good on the app [Amanda Oon and Kiki Siregar]
52. What 570 Experts Predict the Future of Work Will Look Like. [Nicky Dries, Joost Luyckx and Philip Rogiers]