NOVEMBER 15, 2008

Full News Archive

• Headline: American Premiere of Kurt Weill's Masterpiece. Impact: This production revived interest in the portrayal of women in theater, leading to a surge of feminist playwrights. Fast forward to now, and we have a world where every other Netflix show has a strong female lead who can also save the universe while brewing coffee.. Fact: Kurt Weill was once accused of being too avant-garde. Funny how those avant-garde ideas became the norm while traditionalists are still trying to figure out how to use Netflix..
• Headline: Aid Delayed for Detroit's Auto Industry. Impact: The delay in aid led to the automakers getting creative, which inadvertently birthed the electric car revolution. All thanks to a bunch of politicians arguing over a loan—who knew procrastination could lead to a greener future?. Fact: The phrase 'words fly' can also refer to how quickly politicians can promise you the moon before running away with your wallet..
• Headline: Bloomberg's Bold Budget Strategy Under Fire. Impact: Bloomberg's budget strategies sparked a national trend of politicians trying to balance budgets on the backs of the average citizen. This eventually paved the way for a new generation of politicians who believe that popularity is more important than actual governance.. Fact: Bloomberg once attempted to ban large sugary drinks in New York. Because what’s better than solving budget issues by controlling what people drink?.
• Headline: Songs of Themselves. Impact: The competitive story slams led to a rise in spoken word poetry, which is now a staple in hipster coffee shops. Every barista has a secret dream of being the next big poet, all while serving your overpriced lattes.. Fact: There are indeed eight million stories in the naked city, and approximately 7.5 million of them involve someone getting stuck in traffic..
• Headline: In a Complex Gaming Age, Faith in the Simple Virtues of Mayhem. Impact: Gears of War 2's success not only solidified the popularity of violent video games but also convinced parents everywhere that gaming was a legitimate career path. Who knew that decapitating aliens could lead to a job that pays for your kid's college?. Fact: The seriousness of Gears of War was matched only by the seriousness of its marketing campaigns, which made it seem like you were about to embark on a life-or-death mission instead of just sitting on your couch in pajamas..