JUNE 24, 2002

Full News Archive

• Headline: Dinner for 9/11 Victims' Families. Impact: The dinner party for bereaved families sparked a movement where every community in America suddenly felt obligated to throw their own 'thank you' parties. Cue the never-ending potlucks and overly emotional slide shows that have haunted neighborhood gatherings ever since.. Fact: Did you know that you can always count on grief to bring people together? Just like a family reunion, but with more tears and less potato salad..
• Headline: Niche PC Makers Rise Amid Sales Decline. Impact: The thriving niche PC makers led to the rise of the 'gamer culture,' which ultimately resulted in people thinking it's totally normal to wear pajamas in public while discussing the latest video game graphics. Thanks, Alienware!. Fact: Fun fact: while big companies flounder, niche makers are thriving because they know that gamers will pay for anything that has RGB lighting. Seriously, they could sell a rock with LED lights and someone would buy it..
• Headline: LaValle's Fight for Justice from Death Row. Impact: Stephen LaValle's battle for control over his case set a precedent that inspired future inmates to think they could run their own legal defense. Spoiler alert: it didn't end well for most of them. But hey, at least they got to feel like they were in charge for a hot minute.. Fact: Did you know that the court system is like a game of Monopoly? Everyone thinks they can play, but in the end, the rules are complicated, and someone always ends up in jail..
• Headline: The Imperial Chief Executive Is Suddenly in the Cross Hairs. Impact: The sudden downfall of a once-lauded chief executive led to a new corporate trend where CEOs now have to hire PR teams just to keep their jobs. This means more spin doctors than actual doctors in the corporate world—because saving face is more important than saving lives.. Fact: Fun fact: In the corporate world, the more you screw up, the more likely you are to get a book deal. So keep those scandals coming, folks!.
• Headline: Piazza Calls It, And Cedeño Comes Through. Impact: The Mets' victory added to the ongoing saga of sports rivalries. This game alone led to countless bar fights over who was the better team, as if anyone remembers what happened the following season. Spoiler: they didn't.. Fact: Did you know that baseball is the only sport where you can call a game a 'classic' even if both teams score less than 10 points? It's the only time where 'boring' is rebranded as 'strategic.'.