JANUARY 22, 1996

Full News Archive

• Headline: Echoes of a Vanished Hawaii. Impact: The respect for mana in Hawaiian culture has led to a bizarre tradition of tourists trying to channel their inner Hawaiian spirit. This, of course, resulted in an influx of Hawaiian shirts in the 90s that remain a fashion crime to this day.. Fact: Hawaii is the only U.S. state that grows coffee commercially. So, you can thank them for your overpriced lattes!.
• Headline: Flatbush Korean Clerks Embrace New Customs. Impact: The smiling clerks in Flatbush eventually became experts in emotional labor, resulting in a global trend of service workers learning to smile through their existential crises. Who knew a boycott could lead to such a cheerful dystopia?. Fact: In South Korea, there's a custom called 'jeong' which involves forming deep emotional bonds. So yes, that smile may come with a side of unspoken expectations!.
• Headline: Where Music Conveys Child's Pain. Impact: Years later, the maraca-shaking toddlers formed a band that became a viral sensation, proving that you can indeed shake your way to fame, regardless of the actual talent involved.. Fact: Children's music is a billion-dollar industry. So those maracas? They might just be the gateway to the next pop sensation!.
• Headline: Mohicans Denounce Retailer in Land Fight. Impact: The Mohicans' stand against the retailer sparked a nationwide movement where every tribe started demanding their own retail line. Now, we have artisanal moccasins and organic wild rice sold in hipster markets everywhere.. Fact: The Mohican tribe was nearly wiped out in the 1600s, but thanks to their resilience and some smart PR, they're making a comeback in the retail space!.
• Headline: SOAPBOX;The Tax That's Tearing Clifton Apart. Impact: The debate over school funding led to a nationwide educational crisis, resulting in the establishment of 'DIY Education' kits, because who needs teachers when you have Google and a 5-year-old?. Fact: The U.S. spends more on education than most countries, yet we still can't agree on how to teach kids about taxes. Irony much?.
• Headline: EARNING IT;At Work, a Different Test for Drugs. Impact: The hair-snipping drug tests spawned a new trend in corporate America where employees began experimenting with increasingly bizarre hairstyles as a form of protest. Who knew drug testing could inspire fashion statements?. Fact: Hair can retain drug traces for months, making it an odd but effective way to keep tabs on people. Thanks, science!.