FEBRUARY 18, 2001

Full News Archive

• Headline: Voices of Change from Elmcor Senior Center. Impact: If Felicia Lee's column had been read by just one more person, it might have sparked a nationwide book club on reparations, leading to a multi-billion dollar industry in awkward family dinners discussing race.. Fact: The Elmcor Senior Center is not just a place for insightful discussions; it's where bingo nights become epic debates on the history of discrimination. Don't underestimate the strategic power of a 90-year-old with a bingo card..
• Headline: The Town That Gags Its Writers. Impact: David Leavitt's student might have single-handedly revived the creative writing scene in the suburbs, leading to a mass exodus of writers from urban cafes to suburban coffee shops, where Wi-Fi is still spotty.. Fact: The phrase 'the town that gags its writers' originally referred to a small town that tried to charge writers for using its name in their books. Spoiler alert: it didn't work out well for them..
• Headline: Rutgers Shocks Notre Dame in Thriller. Impact: Rutgers' unexpected victory over Notre Dame sparked a chain reaction of underdog stories in sports, leading to a reality show where teams compete for the title of 'Most Surprising Upset.' Spoiler: they all lose in the finals.. Fact: This game was so close that many believed it was actually a well-planned heist by Rutgers to steal Notre Dame's basketball fame. Turns out, they just really wanted that sweet, sweet trophy..
• Headline: POSTINGS: New York City Buildings Department; Longer Hours To Get Permits. Impact: The NYC Buildings Department's extended hours might have inspired other bureaucratic institutions to follow suit, leading to a nationwide trend of government offices being open during hours that normal people are also awake.. Fact: This change means that you can now spend more of your life waiting in line to get permits at a time when you’re not supposed to be at work. Hooray for productivity!.
• Headline: China's Crackdown on Sect Stirs Alarm Over Psychiatric Abuse. Impact: China's crackdown on Falun Gong sparked a global conversation about mental health and human rights, eventually leading to a viral TikTok trend where people reenact 'the government in a psychiatric hospital' theme. Spoiler: it’s not a good look.. Fact: The phrase 'psychiatric abuse' was coined when they realized telling someone they need 'treatment' for their beliefs was a great way to avoid actually listening to them..