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 November 2, 1986
Full News Archive
- Headline: Investing in American Gold Eagle Coins. Impact: The overpriced American Eagle coin led to a sudden surge in gold prices, which influenced a future generation to hoard gold as the ultimate form of wealth. This, in turn, sparked a bizarre gold rush where people started digging up their backyards for hidden treasure, resulting in a national backyard excavation boom in the 2020s.. Fact: Did you know that gold is often referred to as 'the ultimate safe investment'? Because nothing screams security like investing in a shiny rock that you can't eat or use for anything practical..
- Headline: ROLLING ALONG ON ANTIQUE BICYCLES. Impact: The antique bicycle trend led to a resurgence of interest in vintage transportation, which ultimately resulted in a bizarre future where people began to ride penny-farthing bicycles to work, causing a significant increase in office injuries due to 'overly enthusiastic vintage commuting.'. Fact: Riding a 100-year-old bicycle sounds romantic until you realize it has less stability than your average college relationship..
- Headline: SEX-CRIME UNIT SHIFT IS ASSAILED. Impact: The disbanding of the sex-crime unit led to a future where advocacy groups became increasingly vocal, resulting in a tidal wave of reforms that included mandatory sensitivity training for law enforcement. Unfortunately, this also led to an awkward moment when they tried to apply it to all police interactions, including traffic stops.. Fact: It's fascinating how disbanding a unit that helps victims can lead to more noise than a rock concert. You'd think people would want to be quieter about such serious issues..
- Headline: RETURN TO PRINCETON IN A CHANGED ROLE. Impact: The mysterious basement office in Princeton became the ideal inspiration for countless 'haunted' campus tours, leading to a bizarre niche market for ghost tours that promised to reveal the 'spirit' of academia. It was all fun and games until a ghost actually showed up.. Fact: Princeton has such a rich history that even their basements have more stories than your average college student. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want to hear about ghostly professors grading papers?.
- Headline: PROJECT DOCUMENTS THE ERA OF GREENWICH'S GREAT ESTATES. Impact: The project documenting Greenwich's great estates inadvertently caused a resurgence in interest for historical preservation. This led future generations to take up gardening with a competitive edge, resulting in a nationwide 'Great Estate Fights' reality show where people competed to grow the most extravagant hedges.. Fact: Greenwich's estates are so fancy that even the hedges are likely to have better social lives than you. Don’t be surprised if they end up getting their own Instagram accounts..
- Headline: DAY-CARE CENTER FACING EVICTION. Impact: The closure of the day-care center prompted a massive grassroots movement advocating for multi-generational care facilities, resulting in a future where toddlers and seniors became inseparable best friends. Spoiler alert: the toddlers often ended up 'borrowing' the seniors' snacks.. Fact: Only in America can you find a day-care center that caters to both children and the elderly. Because who wouldn’t want to mix nap time with bingo?.
- Headline: STATE BANS FISHING AT 9 TAINTED PONDS. Impact: The fishing ban at tainted ponds led to an unexpected rise in alternative fishing practices, including 'catch and release' with a twist: using only fishing poles made from recycled materials. This eventually led to a bizarre fad where eco-conscious anglers proudly displayed their 'green' rods on social media.. Fact: Fishing is the only sport where you can sit on a boat for hours, do absolutely nothing, and still call it a productive day. It’s basically the adult version of a nap..
- Headline: CAMPAIGNING DRAWS TO A CLOSE ACROSS THE COUNTY. Impact: The frenzied campaigning before the election sparked a new record for the most exaggerated promises made in a single race, ultimately leading to the establishment of the 'Campaign Promise Hall of Fame' where the most outrageous claims are preserved for posterity.. Fact: In politics, saying 'I promise' is just like saying 'I love you'—it means nothing unless there's a ring involved. And even then, good luck!.
Wall Street Time Machine
MCD
McDonald's
McDonald's - If you invested $1,000 in 1986, it would be worth $154,145 today (154.1x return)
AAPL
Apple
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1986, it would be worth $3,574,639 today (3574.6x return)
MSFT
Microsoft
Microsoft - If you invested $1,000 in 1986, it would be worth $8,149,367 today (8149.4x return)