NOVEMBER 11, 1976

Full News Archive

• Headline: Leadership Changes in Egypt's Economic Sector. Impact: The reshuffling of Egypt's economic ministers indirectly led to the rise of a more dynamic financial sector. This new leadership, while initially creating chaos, eventually gave way to a generation of economic advisors who would advise future leaders in bizarrely convoluted ways, like suggesting tourism based on pyramid selfies.. Fact: Did you know that the Egyptian economy has more ups and downs than a roller coaster? And yes, those pyramids were not built with a government grant..
• Headline: Kepone Controversy: Waste Disposal Challenges. Impact: The decision on how to dispose of those 85,000 lbs of Kepone products would ripple into the future, leading to more stringent chemical regulations. In an ironic twist, it also inspired a popular new diet fad: 'Kepone Cleanse,' where you just don't eat anything at all.. Fact: Kepone was so toxic that some scientists suggested it might make a great ingredient for a new energy drink. Spoiler: it didn’t..
• Headline: Lawyers Seek Broader Curbs On DNA Study. Impact: The push for broader DNA study regulations led to a heightened sense of paranoia about genetic engineering, ultimately resulting in conspiracy theories suggesting that cats were secretly being engineered to take over the world. You know, because why not?. Fact: The term 'designer baby' became a thing, but some people still think it refers to babies wearing high-end fashion labels..
• Headline: 2 Dozen Ask to Join Firing Squad; Warden Tells of Utah Volunteers. Impact: The volunteerism for firing squads in Utah would later inspire a bizarre trend of 'extreme volunteering' across the U.S., where people began signing up for increasingly outrageous tasks, from skydiving to 'extreme ironing.'. Fact: In Utah, volunteering for a firing squad is still considered less dangerous than trying to find a parking spot at a popular ski resort..
• Headline: Sauce For The Gander. Impact: The covert activities of South Korea led to increased scrutiny of foreign influence in U.S. politics, eventually inspiring a whole new genre of spy novels that no one really reads but everyone pretends to.. Fact: In a shocking twist, it turned out that the biggest recipients of Korean money in Congress also happen to love Korean BBQ. Coincidence? You decide..
• Headline: Who's In Charge Here?. Impact: William Safire’s commentary on Carter’s appointment issues inadvertently led to a boom in political consulting firms that specialize in 'Who’s in charge here?' seminars, which is just a fancy way of saying 'Let’s blame everyone else.'. Fact: The phrase 'Who's in charge here?' has been known to cause existential crises in meeting rooms across the nation..
• Headline: Ionesco Tinges Despair With Humor. Impact: Eugene Ionesco's blend of despair and humor not only entertained audiences but also paved the way for future playwrights to use comedy to cope with existential dread, going on to inspire countless sitcoms where the world is falling apart but everyone still finds a way to laugh.. Fact: Ionesco once said that life is absurd, which is ironic, considering he was quite successful at making people laugh about it..
• Headline: Airline Group Planning Fare Rise In Event Oil Prices Are Increased. Impact: The airline group's plans for fare increases led to a decades-long cycle of 'Wait, they’re charging us how much for peanuts?' that would haunt travelers for generations, ultimately resulting in the invention of the 'Bring Your Own Snack' rule.. Fact: Did you know that airlines make more money off baggage fees than they do from your actual ticket? Welcome to flying in the 21st century!.