We thought something felt off,” says confused citizen, staring at calendar.
We thought something felt off,” says confused citizen, staring at calendar.
In a stunning revelation that has left the world questioning the very fabric of time, scientists from the International Institute of Temporal Studies (IITS) have confirmed that 2024 is, in fact, just 2020 wearing a poorly disguised wig. The discovery came after years of subtle suspicions and unsettling déjà vu, culminating in what experts are calling the “most annoying prank in the history of the universe.”
“We’ve been tracking this for a while now,” said Dr. Linda Wharton, head of the IITS team responsible for the groundbreaking finding. “Everything just felt… off. We had the same global crises, the same unprecedented events, and that persistent sense of doom. The evidence was overwhelming. We eventually came to the conclusion that 2024 is just 2020 trying to sneak by without anyone noticing.”
The signs, according to the research team, have been there since January. “At first, we just thought we were dealing with regular temporal anomalies—you know, like every other year since 2020,” Wharton explained. “But the uncanny similarities between the two years kept stacking up. Political turmoil? Check. Economic instability? Check. A global pandemic lingering in the background like an uninvited party guest? Double check.”
The final straw, however, came when scientists noticed that the same trends from 2020 had simply recycled themselves, with only minimal updates. “We were watching the news when we realized that every ‘new’ crisis was basically a rerun,” said Wharton. “It’s as if 2020 slapped on a cheap wig, threw on a pair of sunglasses, and hoped no one would recognize it at the party.”
The research paper detailing the findings, titled “We’re Still in 2020 and It’s Starting to Feel Personal,” outlines the eerie parallels between the two years, right down to the never-ending Zoom meetings and the collective feeling of exhaustion that persists despite an extra three years of life experience.
For many, the revelation that 2024 is essentially just 2020 in disguise has provided a sense of closure. “I knew something was wrong,” said Emma Larson, a 28-year-old teacher from Kansas City. “Every time I heard the phrase ‘unprecedented times’ in 2024, I was like, ‘Wait, we’ve been here before.’ Now I know it’s because we never actually left.”
Others have taken a more resigned approach. “At this point, I’m not even mad,” said Mike Reynolds, a delivery driver from Ohio. “2020 showing up again like that ex who keeps texting you at 2 a.m. was just the final piece of the puzzle. We’re all stuck in this weird time loop, so we might as well roll with it.”
Social media has exploded with reactions to the news, with #2020Again trending worldwide. Memes have emerged comparing 2020 and 2024, featuring side-by-side photos of the two years with increasingly elaborate wigs, sunglasses, and disguises. One popular meme shows 2020 in a fake mustache, standing awkwardly behind 2024 at a party labeled “The Future.”
In response to the discovery, scientists have proposed a radical solution: collectively pausing time for a year to let the universe reset itself. “We’re suggesting that everyone just take a gap year,” Dr. Wharton proposed. “If we all agree to stop counting the passage of time for a little while, maybe we can break free of this 2020-2024 loop. Think of it as unplugging the calendar and plugging it back in.”
The proposal has gained significant traction, with some politicians expressing interest in passing legislation to freeze time indefinitely. “I mean, why not?” said Senator Chris Donovan, a long-time supporter of unconventional solutions. “I’m all for taking a breather from the relentless passage of time. It’s not like anyone’s keeping track anymore.”
As we come to terms with this revelation, the question remains: what does the future hold? If 2024 is truly just 2020 in a wig, can we expect 2025 to be the same? Or will the universe finally cut us some slack and send us a year that doesn’t feel like a never-ending rerun?
Dr. Wharton remains cautiously optimistic. “We can’t rule out the possibility that 2025 could just be 2020 with a new hairstyle. But for now, we can take comfort in knowing that at least we’re all in this ridiculous loop together. And, hey, maybe next year 2020 will show up with bangs or something.”
For now, though, many Americans are taking the news in stride. “Look, I’ve been wearing the same pair of sweatpants since March 2020,” said Sarah Matthews, a marketing professional from Los Angeles. “If 2024 wants to recycle itself, that’s fine by me. Just as long as I don’t have to sit through another round of sourdough bread tutorials.”
In the meantime, the IITS has advised the public to stay calm, continue their routines, and consider not making any major life decisions for a while—because, at this rate, who knows what year we’ll actually be in tomorrow?
Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter.
Oops. Something went wrong. Please try again later.
Read untrusted, non-award-winning journalism. Just a few dollars.
