FEBRUARY 14, 1999

Full News Archive

• Headline: Investigating Modern Dating Dilemmas. Impact: If only Laura and Susan had known, this little investigation business would eventually lead to a world where every date comes with a background check and a Yelp review, making trust as rare as a unicorn sighting.. Fact: Ironically, the most common thing people lie about on dating apps is their height. Who knew a few inches could be worth a private investigator?.
• Headline: Reviving Congregation Beth Israel's Legacy. Impact: The struggle to keep the synagogue alive sparked a movement that would lead to hipster Jews rebranding old traditions with artisanal challah and craft beer, ultimately causing a rise in overpriced bagel shops.. Fact: It's estimated that for every synagogue that closes, a new artisanal bakery opens. Kosher donuts are apparently the new black..
• Headline: New Jersey's Transportation Trust Fund Renewal. Impact: James Weinstein's quest to renew the Transportation Trust Fund inadvertently led to the invention of the teleportation device, because honestly, no one wants to sit in traffic for eternity.. Fact: New Jersey is the only state where the word 'turnpike' is spoken more often than 'thank you.'.
• Headline: The Grand Luxe Spa, Swiss Style. Impact: Barbara's article on Swiss luxury led to an explosion in wellness retreats, which eventually resulted in overpriced yoga classes and the rise of kombucha as a legitimate currency.. Fact: Switzerland is the only country where you can pay for a spa treatment with chocolate and no one bats an eye..
• Headline: MY MONEY, MY LIFE; Economy Class? What's That?. Impact: Keith's article on corporate largess inspired the rise of corporate retreats in exotic locations, where employees bond over overpriced cocktails instead of actual productivity.. Fact: Economy class is like the mythical creature of air travel; everyone talks about it, but no one wants to see it..
• Headline: Dial M For.... Impact: Jane's book title sparked a whole genre of mysterious 'M' words, leading to a secret society of authors competing for the best pun in the literary world.. Fact: The 'M' in 'M Word' actually stands for 'mystery,' which is ironic because the true mystery is why anyone would want to read it..
• Headline: Q&A/David Boykin; Shaping Career With One's Own Strategy. Impact: David Boykin's insights on career management led to an explosion of motivational quotes on social media, which ironically made people less motivated and more likely to binge-watch cat videos.. Fact: Career management was once thought to be about networking, but now it’s mostly about how well you can curate your Instagram profile..
• Headline: Valentine Verse Flowers. He Wilts.. Impact: David's commentary on Valentine’s Day insincerity launched a million sarcastic cards, leading to a resurgence of snarky humor in romance and the eventual creation of the Anti-Valentine's Day.. Fact: Valentine's Day is the only day of the year when people feel obligated to buy flowers, even if the recipient has a 'no flowers' policy on account of allergies, or just plain taste..