Tops Listing Cavalcade: New Year's Eve Edition

On this, the eve of a new year, I bring you a list of lists. Here are several "Tops Lists" for your enjoyment, consideration, and conversation:

10. The top cassette tapes of 2010. So you thought cassettes were dead? Not so fast... This list brings you 11 experiences you should hear, with digital samples to whet your musical appetite.

9. The world's top superyachts of 2010. Who can't look at these monstrosities and wonder at the ego behind each?

8. This is a two-fer... The highest earning U.S. athletes of 2010 and the top international earners, as well. Even if not a sports fan, this list will bring back memories of scandals and excitement. From Tiger to Beckham and beyond... Each and every one still earning the big bucks!

7. The best new songs you probably haven't heard, according to Esquire. Maybe you (like me) already have music by the Budos Band. If not, check these songs out and getta groove on!

6. Top wacky tax stories of 2010. Yep. Tax stories. Bringing together soccer, yachts... and pole dancing in one list??? Believe it.

5. The biggest surfing stories of the year, all here in one handy place. If for no other reason, click through to this list and watch the video of Cloudbreak in Fiji. Awesome waves even non-surfers will respect.

4. The top overall sports stories of 2010. How could I not include a "mainstream" list that includes - count'em - two soccer entries and my beloved SF Giants winning the World Series (neener neener, Cubs fans!)?

3. Top economic stories of the past year. Beware, this isn't fluffy stuff. Any list including an entry called "On Sovereign Debt Problems" isn't messing around. The good folks at the Brookings Institution take their work seriously, and the list is an interesting read.

2. The most awesome new (musical) artists of 2010. Ok, so I've loaded this list with music lists. Yeah? What of it. Stop wondering, find a song you like, get up and dance!

1. Events and trends you may have missed. This list comprises a special report by Foreign Policy. I used to subscribe to the print version of FP and continue to appreciate its perspective and analysis. From airport body scanners to sectarian clashes in India, these stories might be headlines in 2011.

Hope you enjoyed this installment of the TLC. Be on the lookout for another list of lists in January. Happy New Year's Eve!

The Tops Listing Cavalcade

I just did it. I read my first "Top 50" list looking back at 2010. I picked one posted on Monkey See and was delighted by the read... No oil spill, no war, no tragedies at all. As a starting point goes, I'm happy to have picked one called "50 Wonderful Things from 2010".

Given the time of year, this is merely the kick-off of what I'm now calling the TLC or "Tops Listing Cavalcade". I should trademark the term, as it's the first time I recall getting a "no results found" message from Google in response to a search.

What is the TLC? It's the swelling, stupefying, sometimes scintillating assortment of lists of top songs, shows, stories, social movements, and so forth which springs forth in the run up to x-mas and won't peter out until a few weeks into the new year. Lists of the tops of everything you could imagine. It happens every year. I just decided to brand it. Please use the term frequently, as I aspire to making either the Top Words or the Top Viral Products list next year.

I know it's the early phases of the TLC, because some participants are just building their lists. Case in point? The Huffington Post's Cutest Pets of 2010 contest was still seeking submissions this month, although the HuffPo is taking on the folks at cutestpetcontest.com. Perhaps we need to build a list of the Best Cute Pet Lists of 2010... Hmmm...

What are your favorite lists to review each year? Share'em here. Share'em with family. Share'em with strangers, if you're comfortable with that kind of thing. I'll put a List of Top Lists together, so you can share that list, too! All part of the the Tops Listing Cavalcade... Though maybe I should restage the brand to improve its appeal. Perhaps "Mega Cool Tops Listing Cavalcade of Joy and Power" is better... It just might get me on to the Top 10 Most Ludicrous Things Named in 2011 list!