Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
HEADLINES ON August 8, 1983
Full News Archive
- Headline: Newark Cityscape: Empty Cargo Containers. Impact: The empty containers in Newark could eventually inspire the whole 'minimalist living' trend, leading to a future where people live in tiny homes made from repurposed shipping crates. Because who needs space when you have Instagram?. Fact: These empty containers could be the perfect metaphor for the state of New Jersey's economy—plenty of structure, but nothing inside..
- Headline: New Jersey's Debt Collection Crackdown. Impact: The Treasurer's 'squeeze' on debtors could ignite a nationwide movement to shame people into paying their debts, ultimately leading to the invention of debtors' shaming apps in the future. Welcome to the age of financial humiliation!. Fact: In 1789, the US Constitution was ratified, yet here we are in 2023 still trying to figure out how to collect debts. Progress!.
- Headline: BOOM DAYS FOR POLITICAL RISK CONSULTANTS. Impact: The Iranian hostage crisis not only changed American foreign policy but also gave birth to political risk consulting as a booming industry, which would later inform the decisions of countless CEOs who are now experts in avoiding awkward conversations.. Fact: This crisis was so impactful that it led to the birth of the 'Carter Doctrine', which basically said, 'Don't mess with us, or we will send in the Marines.'.
- Headline: BELL LABS IS LOSING ECONOMICS CENTER. Impact: The demise of Bell Labs' Economics Research Center could be seen as a pivotal moment leading to Silicon Valley's rise, where the real economic research shifted from labs to garages filled with tech bros and their questionable startup ideas.. Fact: Bell Labs was once the birthplace of the transistor, proving that even the brightest minds can miss the mark when it comes to staying relevant in a fast-paced world..
- Headline: GARDENING; FLOWERS THAT COMBAT HEAT AND DROUGHT. Impact: These drought-resistant flowers could inspire the modern sustainable gardening movement, leading to a future where people cultivate their gardens with the same intensity they bring to their fitness regimens. Because who doesn't want a six-pack and a rose bush?. Fact: Gardening is the only hobby that allows you to get dirty while pretending you're just 'connecting with nature' instead of avoiding your responsibilities..
- Headline: INDIVIDUAL EXPRESSION MARKS WORK OF PAINTER FROM CHINA. Impact: Yuan Yunshen's individual expression could spark a global art revolution, leading to future generations of artists who believe that painting is just a way to express their feelings about their latest breakup. Thanks, social media!. Fact: In the art world, using your own language to express feelings is encouraged—unless your language is 'stick figures' or 'doodles'..
- Headline: PEACE AND PLENTY-TWO WEEKS AT EASE IN RURAL FRANCE. Impact: This rural French retreat could influence countless future vacation packages, leading to a trend where people spend exorbitant amounts of money to experience the 'simple life' while sipping overpriced wine and pretending to be rustic.. Fact: Rural France is often romanticized, but let's be honest: the countryside also means dealing with bugs, hay fever, and no Wi-Fi—what a trade-off!.
- Headline: NATURE WATCH; BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON; Nycticorax nycticorax. Impact: The push to register the poor could lead to a dramatic shift in political power dynamics, resulting in a future where politicians are forced to actually listen to constituents instead of just their wealthy donors. Shocking, I know!. Fact: Getting people to vote has been a struggle since the dawn of democracy. Apparently, voting is still less popular than binge-watching your favorite series..
- Headline: VOTE DRIVES UNDER WAY TO REGISTER CITIES' POOR.
Wall Street Time Machine
WMT
Walmart
Walmart - If you invested $1,000 in 1983, it would be worth $784,047 today (784.0x return)
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1983, it would be worth $188,194 today (188.2x return)