MAY 18, 2004

Full News Archive

• Headline: Farewell to '60 Minutes' Pioneer Don Hewitt. Impact: The success of '60 Minutes' led to an explosion of investigative journalism, which in turn caused countless conspiracy theories to sprout, including the infamous 'Is my cat secretly judging me?' documentary trend.. Fact: Don Hewitt once said that the best stories are like a good cup of coffee: strong, dark, and leave you questioning your life choices..
• Headline: 9/11 Preparedness Investigation Panel Discussion. Impact: The lack of preparedness for 9/11 sparked an endless cycle of security measures that turned airports into mini fortresses, ensuring that no one ever enjoys a leisurely trip to the bathroom while waiting for a flight again.. Fact: The 9/11 Commission Report is so detailed that it's basically the War and Peace of government documents, minus the love story and with way more bureaucracy..
• Headline: Britain's Utility Bid Rejection Explained. Impact: This rejection of a utility bid led to a series of events that ultimately resulted in the world's most elaborate and expensive game of 'keep-away' with utilities, proving once again that money can't buy happiness, but it can certainly buy a lot of paperwork.. Fact: The term 'utility' in business is just fancy speak for 'we're going to charge you a lot for something you can't live without.'.
• Headline: Creatures Stir, and Once Again the Universe Takes Flight. Impact: Diane Ackerman’s musings on nature contributed to the rise of the 'back to nature' movement, leading to a spike in hipster birdwatching cafes where patrons sip lattes while pretending they care about the environment.. Fact: Birds singing at dawn are nature's alarm clock, reminding you that even the avian community has its own early risers who are probably judging your late-night decisions..
• Headline: Europe Agrees To Let U.S. Get Passenger Data. Impact: The EU's decision to share passenger data with the U.S. opened the floodgates for privacy invasions, eventually leading to that awkward moment when even your online shopping habits became a matter of national security.. Fact: The uproar over this agreement was so intense that it made the average reality TV feud look like a polite tea party..