OCTOBER 7, 1984

Full News Archive

• Headline: Exploring the Real Bangkok. Impact: David Wigg's lukewarm take on Bangkok's charm led to a trend of travel blogs that overhype every sweaty, noisy city as a hidden gem. Now, thousands flock to Bangkok with their Instagram filters, only to be disappointed when they realize the 'secrets' are just more sweaty streets.. Fact: Bangkok's full name is actually a 163-character-long tongue twister that no one can pronounce, which is probably why they just call it Bangkok..
• Headline: PORNOGRAPHY BILL STIRS FUROR IN SUFFOLK. Impact: The Suffolk pornography bill ignited a firestorm of debate that morphed into a nationwide discussion about censorship and free speech. Who knew that one county's attempt to regulate content would lead to the 'what-is-art' arguments we still have today at Thanksgiving dinners?. Fact: The irony of trying to ban sexual violence in media is that it often leads to more discussions about it, which is exactly what they were trying to avoid..
• Headline: A NEW LOOK IN NEW BRUNSWICK. Impact: The young woman's nostalgic musings about New Brunswick's fountains inspired countless urban renewal projects. Now, cities everywhere are trying to bring back 'the good old days' with fountains that are just as likely to become giant bird baths.. Fact: Cities spend millions on fountains that often just end up being glorified mosquito breeding grounds..
• Headline: WORKOUTS AT WORK ON RISE. Impact: Joseph Duerr's decision to work out at work catalyzed the fitness-at-the-office trend, leading to a world where your boss might just be doing burpees instead of reading emails. Now, conference rooms double as yoga studios—can't wait for that team-building downward dog!. Fact: The only thing more awkward than a workout at work is trying to look serious while sweating profusely in front of your colleagues..
• Headline: DEBATE LOOMS ON FUTURE OF PLAYLAND. Impact: The debate over Playland's future foreshadowed the ongoing struggle between nostalgia and progress. Now, every time a beloved amusement park faces closure, it's like watching a soap opera with rides instead of dramatic plot twists.. Fact: Playland has survived for over half a century, which is longer than most of our childhood dreams of becoming astronauts..
• Headline: BIRGHTON's OCEAN OF ANTIQUES. Impact: Donald Goddard's literary escapades inspired an entire genre of 'feel-good' travel writing, which led to people believing that visiting a doctor in a foreign country would somehow cure their malaise. Spoiler: it usually just involves more paperwork.. Fact: If you think your doctor is bad, just wait until you see a Dutch doctor trying to explain your symptoms in a thick accent..
• Headline: FALL'S SPLENDOR COMES TO LITCHFIELD. Impact: Eliza Bailey's brochure organization sparked a new wave of tourism marketing, leading to the rise of over-caffeinated marketers trying to sell you the 'authentic experience'—which usually means overpriced trinkets and awkward small talk.. Fact: Litchfield is so small that if you blink while driving through, you might just miss it—and the fall splendor it's famous for..