As 2008 comes to a close and 2009 appears just over the horizon, it's time once again to offer our insights and criticism on this year's Top 10. With all that's transpired since January 1st, big changes were expected for our rankings. For many people, then, the similarity of this year's list to last may be surprising.
10: Though often seen as being in a vulnerable position due to its regular place at the bottom of this list, 10 has shown itself to be remarkably well rounded, year after year. The past 12 months were no different for this perennial workhorse, with critics lauding its accessibility and versatility. An early review by the New York Times helped to crystallize this assessment, calling 10 indispensable,"" and citing its popularity with all manner of people, ""from enthusiastic children to experienced professionals, many of whom still use it on a daily basis.""
9: Supporters of 9 may be disappointed with its return to the lower end of these rankings (the results of last year's tally, which placed it between 5 and 6, have been widely disputed), but nonaphiles can still find plenty to celebrate this year, with a late rally making up for an underwhelming spring and putting 9 in a strong position to move up in the standings next year.
8: A fervent cult following helps to earn 8 a place on this list every year, despite the fact that it is still not widely known among the general public. Early predictions that ""8 would be this year's 7"" proved to be mostly hype, but its influence outside of hip, art-house culture is becoming harder to deny with each passing month. In a few more years, 8 may even fulfill Andy Warhol's once controversial prediction that ""[8] will be everywhere someday; they'll even be teaching kids about it in school.""
7: Sources as varied as youth style magazine Teen Vogue and elite British magazine The Economist have dismissed 7 as being outdated, with the latter publication deriding the number's strong religious significance as ""out of touch with today's rapidly liberalising culture."" It is these very qualities, however, which ensure 7 remains just as relevant and controversial as when it first appeared on this list.
6: Despite continued criticism from James Dobson and other religious conservatives alleging that 6 is inherently satanic, 2008 was another strong year for the smallest of perfect numbers, which not only finished just behind its usual rival, 5, but also put to rest any lingering suspicions that it may have had reason to fear 7.
5: In a year when what seemed like the whole literary world gathered around to sing its praises, 5 has become practically synonymous with good taste. Rave reviews from the likes of the New Yorker and the Los Angeles Times Book Review are now taken for granted. In September, postmodern author Don DeLillo famously stated that, ""At this point, it's impossible to imagine living in a world without 5, much less writing in one.""
4: After the tragic fall from grace last June upon the announcement it was facing federal racketeering charges, few people could have foreseen 4's heroic recovery. Yet 4 was virtually inescapable for anyone who tuned in to ESPN's SportsCenter this fall, which is one reason why we've made it our ""Number to Watch"" for 2009.
3: More than any other entry on this list, 3 succeeded in rising from almost total obscurity to seize headlines in 2008. It faced a small backlash among loyalists after signing to a lucrative endorsement contract with Apple in August, but even so, calling 3 the ""Breakout Number of the Year"" feels like an understatement. Everyone should know this number.
2: Despite relentless scrutiny in the tabloids surrounding its alleged drug addiction and a public meltdown on the set of ""Meet the Press"" prior to Tim Russert's untimely demise, 2 set box office and electoral records this year, becoming both Broadway's longest-running musical and Arkansas' longest-serving state representative.
1: Few will be surprised by our first-place finisher. 1 was predicted to have a banner year all the way back in January, and even with the sluggish economy, it continues to serve as ""the very definition of success,"" in the words of the Wall Street Journal. It has often been said that it's lonely at the top, and in 2008, as in previous years, 1 is - once again - loneliest of all.
E-mail Matt with your Top 10 of 2008 at hunziker@wisc.edu.
