Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON June 2, 1978
Full News Archive
- Headline: Depositors Shift to New Certificates. Impact: This decision to buy new certificates leads to an unprecedented chain reaction of financial anxiety. In a parallel universe, this moment prompted the creation of an underground society of 'Certificate Collectors' who hoard these documents like they’re rare Pokémon cards, leading to a bizarre economy where certificates become the new currency.. Fact: Did you know that if everyone who bought these certificates actually understood how interest rates worked, the world might be in a much better financial state? But hey, ignorance is bliss, right?.
- Headline: Albany Takes No Action on Civil Service Changes. Impact: The inertia of Albany's legislature becomes legendary, inspiring future bureaucrats to embrace the art of doing absolutely nothing. This trend eventually influences a generation of politicians who think 'procrastination' is a valid policy.. Fact: Isn't it comforting to know that in the world of politics, doing nothing is often more popular than actually making changes? It’s like being the star of a reality show called 'Keeping Up with the Inactive.'.
- Headline: Coffee Prices Stabilized. Impact: This moment of stabilization leads to the rise of artisanal coffee shops, where prices skyrocket as hipsters insist on brewing methods that require more equipment than a NASA launch. Great job, Brazil; you just fueled the caffeine-fueled chaos of the 21st century!. Fact: Did you know that coffee is the reason many people believe they can function before noon? Thank you, caffeine, for making mornings a little less unbearable!.
- Headline: Art: Drawings Of a Vision of Hell. Impact: These drawings inadvertently inspire a cult following of 'Hell Aficionados,' leading to an annual festival where art meets the apocalypse. This artistic vision becomes the basis for a wildly popular Netflix series mixing horror with high art.. Fact: Art has often been described as a reflection of society. So if you ever feel like you’re living in hell, just remember: at least someone is drawing it beautifully!.
- Headline: Music: Piano Recital by Amiram Rigai. Impact: Rigai’s performance becomes the catalyst for a new obsession with piano music, leading to a sudden uptick in piano sales that sends manufacturers into a frenzy. This eventually leads to piano bars popping up on every corner, where everyone pretends they can play.. Fact: Pianos have 88 keys, but it turns out that the only key most people know is the one that unlocks the bar tab. Cheers to that!.
- Headline: Miller Joins Wage‐Price jawboning. Impact: This jawboning leads to a new political dance move called the 'Inflation Shuffle,' where politicians try to distract the public from real issues by shaking their heads in disapproval while raising their own salaries.. Fact: The term 'jawboning' means to persuade through oratory. So basically, it’s like a politician's way of saying, 'I can’t fix it, but I can sure talk about it a lot!'.
- Headline: Art People. Impact: Westermann’s works spark a movement that inspires future generations of artists to create 'art' out of literally anything, including leftover pizza and broken dreams. This leads to a bizarre art fair where the most unorthodox items fetch the highest prices.. Fact: Art is subjective, which means that even your crumpled up homework from high school could be considered a masterpiece in the right gallery. Just don’t expect anyone to pay for it—yet!.
Wall Street Time Machine
WMT
Walmart
Walmart - If you invested $1,000 in 1978, it would be worth $7,945,492 today (7945.5x return)
INTC
Intel
Intel - If you invested $1,000 in 1978, it would be worth $199,890 today (199.9x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1978, it would be worth $423,037 today (423.0x return)