DECEMBER 1, 1962

Full News Archive

• Headline: Robert Moses: Power and Controversy in NYC. Impact: The emergence of a Ph.D. on Robert Moses' staff led to a strange wave of educated urban planning... which was ironically ignored in favor of more concrete. The degree was probably more useful for the staff member's future job at a coffee shop.. Fact: Nothing screams 'urban genius' like having a Ph.D. in a field that gets bulldozed by a man with a vision and a penchant for overdevelopment..
• Headline: Nehru and Kashmir: Talks at a Standstill. Impact: Nehru's stubbornness in the Kashmir talks set off a series of misunderstandings that ultimately led to decades of tension. All because someone decided to bring a power struggle to a diplomatic knife fight.. Fact: Nehru’s speeches were often so long, they could have doubled as bedtime stories for the entire nation—if only they had a happy ending..
• Headline: Italy Names Posts Minister. Impact: The appointment of a new Minister of Posts in Italy might have seemed trivial, but it led to the eventual creation of email, as people realized sending letters by pigeon was becoming too slow. Thank you, bureaucracy!. Fact: The title 'Minister of Posts' sounds like someone who should be delivering mail, not making policy. I mean, how hard can it be? Just put it in the mailbox, right?.
• Headline: KENNEDY ACCUSED OF NEWS CONTROL; Rep. Moss Urges Press to Lead Discussion of Issue A 'Disturbing Period'. Impact: Accusations against Kennedy regarding news control were the spark that ignited a thousand conspiracy theories. Little did he know he was setting the stage for a future where everyone believes everything they read on the internet.. Fact: If Kennedy had known that press control would lead to memes and social media influencers, he might have reconsidered his stance. Or maybe he would have just hired a better PR team..
• Headline: On Probation. Impact: Putting schools on probation led to a never-ending cycle of educational reforms that still continue today. It’s like the universe was trying to teach us that sometimes you just need a nap instead of a report card.. Fact: Probation for schools is like putting a kid in timeout. It doesn’t really fix the problem, but hey, at least they’re not running wild… for now..
• Headline: Better Service, More Riders. Impact: The opposition to using buses on parkways resulted in a love affair with cars that ultimately led to traffic jams that could ruin any road trip—there’s nothing like a three-hour crawl to remind you of your life choices.. Fact: Opposing buses on parkways sounds noble until you realize it just means everyone will be stuck in their own car, silently judging each other’s playlists..