As I am sure you have heard, Stranger Things ended on New Years Eve. The finale was met with a wide range of opinions. Some people loved it, others hated it. I am of the opinion that the finale was mid. Really though the internet is trying to convince the world that tonight January 7th a new Stranger Things episode will drop, a secret finale. I’m not going to lie, if you start watching the fan-made videos explaining the possibility of conformity gate you will also start to believe the theory. The only issue I have with this theory is the fact that this is a tired-out playbook. WandaVision during covid had the same theory which also included really good fan videos explaining why it would happen. Game of Thrones was so unexplainably bad that people thought there would be a secret finale to fix the shitstorm that was that entire season, never happened. So, no I don’t think we will be seeing an episode tonight that shows the world Vecna won it’s just a bunch of fans upset with the finale trying to cope. Seriously though, shoutout to the people insane enough to make videos with theories like conformity gate it creates great internet fodder, but you’re likely clinically insane. There are tons of videos and theories, below is an attached tweet thread and I have linked an article about conformity gate here if you’re interested.

What I am really here to talk about is how this theory can be applied to sports, or more specifically, what players constantly tease their fans wanting more. These players probably came out of the gate strong, much like Stranger Things season 1, quickly gaining immense popularity and being hailed as some of the greats, but when their big moment arrived, they faltered. Names that come to mind? Lamar Jackson, Aaron Judge, Luka Doncic, Dustin Poirer, and of course Connor McDavid.

All of the men listed above are talked about regularly as some of the greats. However, when they were about to thrust themselves into that upper echelon, they all came up short. In 2024, Judge, Doncic, Poirer, and McDavid all lost in their finals (incredible “talent” all losing the same year). Lamar in 2024 made it to the AFC championship, he lost too.

You may find yourself in a conversation with a passionate fan of one of these athletes. My advice is to approach such discussions with caution. These fans often firmly believe that one or more of these athletes belong in the “greatest of all time” (GOAT) conversation for their respective sports. If you challenge this view by pointing out that these athletes may be more associated with underachievement than exceptional talent, they are likely to respond by citing MVP awards, scoring titles, knockouts, and other accolades.

As the conversation continues, ask them who they consider the GOAT in that sport. Common responses might include names like Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Wayne Gretzky, or Shohei Ohtani. At this point, you have an opportunity to highlight some key facts: Brady is the winningest quarterback in NFL history; Jordan reached six NBA Finals and won six championships; Khabib retired undefeated as the lightweight champion; Gretzky won back-to-back Stanley Cups twice; and Ohtani recently won a World Series.

When you present these points, some fans may respond by saying either that these achievements don’t matter or that their favorite athlete will eventually win a championship. They have seen with their own eyes these athletes fail on the biggest stages but remain convinced that success is still forthcoming.

From a realistic perspective, it is important to recognize that in sports, as in life, there are winners and there are losers. Some athletes seem to possess an innate ability or “gene” that enables them to perform at the highest level consistently—athletes like Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, or Wayne Gretzky. Others, despite their talent, may not have this same capacity to succeed under pressure. None of the men that I have listed possess the winning gene, it’s evident in their constant struggles.

While these athletes may be exceptional individuals, when the spotlight is brightest, they will always falter. Understanding this distinction can provide a more nuanced view of athletic greatness.

The debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James will likely wage on after we are all dead. This discussion often centers around their performances in the NBA Finals. In sports, championships are what matter most to the majority of fans. Simply participating is not enough; fans want their team to win the ultimate prize. If merely reaching the finals were the standard, LeBron would clear MJ in everyone’s eyes.

When debating fans of the five athletes previously mentioned, you may present arguments that are deeply rooted in the zeitgeist of sports culture, yet they may remain unwilling to listen. Engaging with such fans can feel like debating a prime Skip Bayless who presents little to no reason for his insane takes but rather yells until you submit. Despite this, it is important not to concede to any of these simpletons.

If you have chosen to engage in one of these debates, it is crucial to make you sure leave the conversation with your oppressor knowing deep down that their favorite player is a loser. Success in sports is measured by meaningful victories, and without those, even the most talented athletes should be remembered for nothing but their failures.

Similarly, if you find yourself in a discussion with someone who is a”#conformitygate” believer, make sure they are aware that just because the Stranger Things finale wasn’t up to their liking, there will never be a secret episode.

Let’s put an end to coping in 2026.