Year’s end. Within itself the term carries almost the exact opposite sensibility of another common expression of terminus: land’s end. Upon reaching land’s end, we think of what lies beyond—new exploits, adventures, invigorating new dangers. At year’s end, the future and all that it implies and portends is there, but reflection and looking back take precedence.

Who are we to begrudge time-honored human precedent a few moments under the weak December sun? (Of our readers south of the equator, we kindly request your suspension of nadiral disbelief.) With that in mind, next week we’ll revisit the ten most-read short stories in 2013. Today, we look back on the ten most-read articles of 2013 in the other departments of The Stoneslide Corrective.

Research Shows Wide Gap in Incomes and Happiness of Fans of the Band The Replacements Compared to Fans of the Band R.E.M. Heard melodies are sweet, especially when written by Paul Westerberg.

Sociologist Finds Absurdity Has Critical Role in Human Power Dynamics Every employee, child, and parking meter attendant who’s ever lived knows this.

CEO Apologizes for Extra-Marital Affair She’s About to Have Sometimes it’s smart (and exciting) to take proactiveness to the extreme.

Susannah: We can’t all earn lots of money If your friends are rich, you should never be poor.

Alexa: Don’t let your family get knocked off-kilter Infidelity or theft can forge important bonds with in-laws.

Kyle: Find what matters in life Conventional thinking can only postpone homelessness; be unconventional.

Bank Teller: Find your badass self Sometimes the writing’s on the wall, sometimes it’s on the neck tattoo.

Rebranding Literature A perennial favorite. Probably because it links inquisitiveness and acquisitiveness so seductively.

Brewers Fan Apologizes Preemptively for What He Will Do in 2014 Some sports heroes disappoint. Ryan Braun inspires rage and intra-family shame.

Louis: You need to bet big on yourself In marriage, money issues are never about money. They’re about one grand pilgrimage to Vegas to set everything right, baby!