NOVEMBER 15, 1978

Full News Archive

• Headline: Revitalizing Debrett's: A New Era. Impact: The revitalization of Debrett's may have inadvertently set off a chain reaction that led to the annual competition for the most pretentious coffee shop names. After all, if Debrett's can be ‘a touch of brass,’ why not a ‘Brewed Awakening’?. Fact: Debrett's has been the go-to guide for British etiquette since 1769. If only it had a section on how to act when someone brings an avocado toast to a formal dinner..
• Headline: Pentagon's 1979 Budget Missiles Decision. Impact: The addition of two new missiles in the budget sparked a global arms race that resulted in more sci-fi movies than anyone could ever want. Who needs plot when you have explosions?. Fact: Missiles may not have feelings, but they certainly have a knack for creating drama – both on screen and in international relations..
• Headline: Jury Is Studying City Aides’ Role In Driver Strike. Impact: The grand jury's investigation into city aides turned out to be the precursor to modern-day workplace sitcoms. Just imagine the hilarity of government employees trying to navigate not just their jobs, but the Teamsters' strike!. Fact: If you think your job has drama, just remember that in NYC, even the limousines have union representation. Talk about a 'luxury' problem!.
• Headline: U.S. Brief Suggests Wilmington 10 Were Denied Due Process in Trial. Impact: The U.S. brief on the Wilmington 10 was the butterfly flapping its wings that eventually led to increased scrutiny of the justice system, resulting in countless Netflix documentaries. Who knew a trial could be so riveting?. Fact: Legal battles can be as thrilling as action films, but without the explosions. Just wait for the documentary, which will probably have a more dramatic soundtrack..
• Headline: Advertising. Impact: The Better Business Bureau's challenge to Pergament Distributors might have sparked the trend of companies fighting over the most trivial advertising claims, paving the way for today's absurd ad wars. Who knew paint could be so controversial?. Fact: Advertising battles are the only wars where no one gets hurt – unless you count the feelings of marketers who take their job way too seriously..
• Headline: Around the Nation. Impact: The FCC's approval of a $235 million rate reduction for international calls may have led to the invention of awkward late-night phone calls to relatives abroad, igniting the now-common tradition of family gossip via long-distance.. Fact: Thanks to rate reductions, international calls became a rite of passage for every teenager wanting to avoid awkward silences with their grandparents. ‘How’s that garden doing?’.
• Headline: Pentagon Says Even Vast Effort By Soviet Can't Stop New Missile. Impact: Perry's assertion about the new missile capabilities probably inspired a wave of sci-fi writers to include 'unstoppable' missiles in their plots, leading to a generation of movies where the fate of the world hinges on military technology.. Fact: The only thing more complex than military defense strategies is trying to explain them in a movie without losing the audience halfway through..
• Headline: U.S. URGES INTEREST ON ASSETS IT FROZE. Impact: The U.S. urging interest on frozen assets inadvertently led to the creation of financial products that no one understands, like collateralized debt obligations. Thanks, government, for making investing feel like a high-stakes poker game!. Fact: Frozen assets might sound like a fancy vacation spot, but in reality, they’re just a reminder of how complicated international finance can get – like trying to understand your roommate's Netflix password..