NOVEMBER 2, 1977

Full News Archive

• Headline: Mexicana Airlines Ground Crew Strike. Impact: As ground crews decided to strike, they inadvertently created a new trend in labor activism. This later inspired other industries to strike for more ridiculous reasons, including a 'no coffee' policy, leading to a global caffeine crisis in the 2020s.. Fact: In Mexico City, if you can manage to strike while getting paid, you're basically living the dream..
• Headline: Utility Rate Reform Proposal Insights. Impact: Uhler’s proposal to price power based on marginal costs led to a future where consumers calculate their electricity bills like they’re playing a game of Monopoly. ‘Do not pass Go, do not collect $200’ became a common phrase in utility offices.. Fact: Marginal costs? Sounds like what I say when I marginally care about my electricity bill..
• Headline: Dutch Millionaire Caransa Kidnapped and Freed. Impact: The $4 million ransom paid led to an unexpected boom in the kidnapping insurance industry, resulting in a future where you could insure your life against the boredom of everyday living — or just against getting kidnapped.. Fact: Kidnapping a millionaire for $4 million? You’d think they’d just leave a note asking for a loan instead..
• Headline: Carter Signs Minimum Wage Bill, Giving Raises of 45 Percent by ’81. Impact: Carter’s minimum wage bill sparked a national debate that eventually led to everyone being paid in Bitcoin — because who doesn’t love a good rollercoaster ride with their paycheck?. Fact: A 45% raise sounds great until you realize it’s still barely enough to afford avocado toast in 2023..
• Headline: Consumer Agency Bills Dead in Congress Now. Impact: With consumer agency bills dead, the business interests gained such momentum that they eventually created a parallel universe where consumer rights are just a suggestion and coupons are considered a luxury.. Fact: Ralph Nader and organized consumer movements: the original influencers before it was cool to promote stuff on Instagram..
• Headline: Survey Finds Fewer Think Carter Can Restore Trust in Government. Impact: Carter’s slipping approval ratings foreshadowed a future where politicians would start hiring social media managers to keep their image afloat, leading to an era of influencer politics.. Fact: 55% approval rating? In politics, that’s just a polite way of saying ‘most people still tolerate you.'.
• Headline: Appeals Unit Questions Challenge To Carey's Proposed Bond Issue. Impact: The challenge to Gov Carey’s bond issue led to a future where every economic development project had a legal challenge, ultimately resulting in an endless loop of lawsuits that funded entire armies of lawyers.. Fact: Court arguments: where lawyers practice their improv skills for a future career in stand-up comedy..
• Headline: I.L.A. Cancels Talks Set for Today. Impact: The I.L.A. cancelling talks led to a future where unions learned to perfect the art of passive-aggressively rescheduling meetings, causing a dramatic rise in workplace sarcasm.. Fact: In the union world, 'We’ll talk later' is just code for 'I’d rather binge-watch my favorite show.'.
• Headline: KLIENDIENST RECALLS AID IN TEAMSTER DEAL. Impact: Kleindienst's cozy relationship with the Teamsters set a precedent for a future where every politician needed a ‘friend’ in the business world, leading to the eventual creation of the 'Friendship Fund' for all lobbying needs.. Fact: Teamsters and perjury? Sounds like a fun party game gone wrong..