NOVEMBER 18, 1978

Full News Archive

• Headline: Afghanistan's Shift Towards Soviet Alignment. Impact: The Soviet influence in Afghanistan spurred a series of events that led to the rise of extremist groups. Who knew that a little geopolitical maneuvering could lead to the rise of the Taliban, a decade of war, and a never-ending cycle of conflict? Thanks a lot, Taraki!. Fact: The Soviet-Afghan War was so intense that it inspired the term 'mujahideen,' which, fun fact, means 'one who struggles in the path of God.' So, you know, just a casual day at the office for the locals.
• Headline: Joffrey Ballet's Stunning Dance Performance. Impact: Robbins's choreography might not have changed the world, but it did ensure that people would forever mistake ballet for something that is actually enjoyable. Ballet: the art form that makes you feel uncoordinated while looking at people who are incredibly graceful. Fact: Jerome Robbins was so talented that he could probably choreograph a dance for a rock. Or at least, make it look good while trying.
• Headline: Vance Praises Egypt's Innovative Peace Initiatives. Impact: Vance's praise for Egyptian peace ideas may have set off a ripple of optimism that briefly distracted the world from the fact that Middle Eastern peace talks are basically like trying to put together IKEA furniture without instructions. Fact: Egypt's peace plans were so 'constructive' that they could have been used as blueprints for building a sandcastle. Too bad reality is a lot harder than it looks.
• Headline: White House, Yielding. Impact: The Carter administration's retreat on coal miners might have ironically paved the way for future debates where politicians would continue to avoid accountability like it’s a game of dodgeball. Spoiler: they still haven't mastered the dodge. Fact: The 1978 coal miner's strike was so critical that it might just have a place in the history books—right next to the footnotes on how many times politicians have backtracked.
• Headline: Books of The Times The Psychoanalytic Tango. Impact: Sherry Turkle's exploration of psychoanalytic politics may have led to a collective existential crisis among politicians, who suddenly wondered if their decisions were driven by deep-seated Freudian issues. Spoiler alert: they were. Fact: Freud's theories are so popular that they’re practically a rite of passage for anyone entering the world of psychology. Just don’t blame your mother for everything!.
• Headline: Janie FrickeCoun try Songs Full of Spunk. Impact: Janie Fricke’s spunky country songs likely inspired a wave of empowerment among women, leading to more women demanding to be taken seriously in genres traditionally dominated by men. Who would have thought country could be progressive?. Fact: Country music is basically just folk tales set to tunes. So when they say 'spunk,' it’s just a fancy way of saying, 'I have feelings too!'.
• Headline: Sinyaysky, on Art. Impact: Sinyavsky's speech could have inadvertently sparked a revolution in the art world, making artists everywhere think they could just say whatever they wanted and call it art. Thanks for the permission, Sinyavsky!. Fact: Art is subjective, but Sinyavsky took it to a new level where even a blank canvas could be considered a masterpiece. Now that’s what I call lowering the bar!.
• Headline: Iran's Affluent, Indebted to Shah, Give Him Little Support in Crisis. Impact: The lack of support for the Shah may have inadvertently set the stage for the Iranian Revolution, proving that when the upper class gets bored, they can cause a lot of trouble. Who knew disinterest could be so powerful?. Fact: The Shah was once so popular that his downfall was like watching a reality show where everyone thought they were on the winning team until the last episode aired.