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 December 4, 1988
Full News Archive
- Headline: Collaboration of Art and Storytelling. Impact: If Heather Forest and Susan Gaber hadn't collaborated, we might still be stuck in a world where storytelling and art were separate. Imagine a universe where people just stared at blank canvases while listening to monotone narrators. Chaos averted!. Fact: Fun fact: The first recorded collaboration between an artist and a storyteller involved a cave painting and a very dramatic reenactment of a bison hunt. Spoiler alert: The bison was not impressed..
- Headline: 17th Annual New York Numismatic Convention. Impact: The international numismatic convention led to a massive increase in coin collecting, which eventually spurred a black market for rare coins. Thanks to this event, a group of rogue collectors now holds the world record for the most expensive pizza delivery—paid entirely in rare Roman coins.. Fact: Did you know that numismatics was once considered a hobby for the wealthy? Now it’s just a way to argue with your friends about who can find the most obscure penny..
- Headline: 911 Report for County Board Recommends Decentralized System. Impact: The move towards a decentralized emergency system may have led to an eventual rise in 'emergency apps' that allow you to summon help with just a tap. Ironically, this also resulted in an increased number of people accidentally calling for pizza instead.. Fact: Fun fact: The original 911 system was designed to make emergency calls easier, but it seems all we’ve done is create more ways to prank call the police. Thanks, technology!.
- Headline: Show of Table Art Reflects Growth Of Crafts World. Impact: The emergence of fine crafts as art led to the rise of DIY culture, which has resulted in countless homes filled with inexplicable macramé plant hangers and questionable pottery. The art world is now a battlefield of glue guns and glitter.. Fact: Did you know that the word 'craft' comes from the Old English 'craeft,' meaning 'skill'? So the next time you see a lopsided pot, remember: skill is subjective!.
- Headline: DINING OUT; Consistency in Spanish-Portuguese Fare. Impact: Tony Da Caneca's consistency in dining led to a cult following that now believes they can taste the same dish in different restaurants. This sparked a bizarre movement where people travel the world just to find the 'exact' version of their favorite meal. Bon appétit!. Fact: Did you know that food critics are just people who get paid to be picky? They’re like the high-maintenance friends we all have, but with more influence and less social grace..
- Headline: Actors Workshop Stresses Flexibility. Impact: The black box stage revolutionized theater, allowing for more flexible and experimental performances. This eventually led to a wave of avant-garde productions that left audiences scratching their heads and wondering if they just witnessed a profound statement or a complete mess.. Fact: Fun fact: The term 'black box' comes from the fact that no one knows what’s going on inside it, much like most of the plots in modern theater..
- Headline: A Novice Builder Puts It in Writing. Impact: Stephen Taylor’s struggle to write in his new home may have led to the invention of coffee shops as dedicated writer havens. Imagine, all because one man couldn’t find his muse among the squirrels in East Hampton!. Fact: Did you know that the first coffee shop opened in Istanbul in the 15th century? It sparked a revolution of caffeinated creatives—and probably the world's first caffeine addiction..
- Headline: Who Is 'Old'? Agencies Struggle With Definitions. Impact: The debate over what constitutes 'old' has inadvertently delayed the acceptance of retirement home dance parties, leading to a society that just can't decide if they want to groove or sit quietly with their bingo cards.. Fact: Fun fact: The definition of 'old' is as flexible as a yoga instructor's back. Some say it's 30, others say 90. In any case, we all seem to feel old when we try to get out of bed in the morning..
- Headline: Teaching Reform: Shared Hopes, Sharp Differences.. Impact: The proposed teaching reforms may have led to a surge in teacher protests, which eventually inspired a generation of students to question everything, including why their lunch always tastes like cardboard. The ripple effect, indeed!. Fact: Did you know that teaching reforms often come with a side of bureaucracy? It’s like ordering a salad and getting a giant bowl of paperwork instead..
Wall Street Time Machine
AAPL
Apple
Apple - If you invested $1,000 in 1988, it would be worth $884,238 today (884.2x return)
MSFT
Microsoft
Microsoft - If you invested $1,000 in 1988, it would be worth $2,037,337 today (2037.3x return)