FEBRUARY 15, 2009

Full News Archive

• Headline: Chávez Secures Indefinite Re-election Power. Impact: Chávez's indefinite re-election led to a chain reaction in Latin American politics, inspiring other leaders to cling to power. Next thing you know, every coffee shop in the region is filled with wannabe dictators who think they can cook a good Chávez-esque coffee without the bitter aftertaste.. Fact: Did you know that allowing indefinite re-election is basically the political equivalent of saying, 'Sure, go ahead and eat the whole cake'? Spoiler alert: it usually ends with a stomachache..
• Headline: Inside Jokes on '24': A Comic Encounter. Impact: The clever banter between Garofalo and Rajskub sparked a revolution in TV comedy, leading to an influx of sarcastic characters who would eventually take over every sitcom. Thank them next time your favorite show makes you laugh and cringe simultaneously.. Fact: Fun fact: '24' was so intense that viewers often forgot to breathe. Some even tried to time their bathroom breaks during Jack Bauer's next move. Talk about suspense!.
• Headline: So Inviting, That Dark at the Top. Impact: Edgar Oliver's one-man show made people realize that memoirs could be both sweet and sinister, leading to an explosion of 'darkly comedic' memoirs. Soon, we had a new genre where everyone was 'haunted by their past' but still managed to sell books.. Fact: Did you know that one-man shows are like potato chips? You think you'll just enjoy one, but suddenly you’re knee-deep in existential dread and snacks..
• Headline: Saving Federal Arts Funds: Selling Culture as an Economic Force. Impact: The last-minute preservation of arts funding made it clear that culture could be marketed as an economic force, leading to the rise of hipster entrepreneurs selling artisanal, hand-crafted economic theories. Next thing you know, your local barista is also a self-proclaimed economist.. Fact: Fun fact: Selling culture as an economic force is just a fancy way of saying, 'We need to make art profitable, or it's going to be a sad, sad gallery.'.
• Headline: Economists Try Target Practice in a Fun-House Mirror. Impact: The documentaries on economic blame created a new trend where everyone decided they were an economist. Suddenly, your uncle at Thanksgiving is holding court on fiscal policy while you’re just trying to eat your turkey in peace.. Fact: Did you know that economists are often just like magicians? They can make money disappear and reappear, but no one really understands how it works. Abracadabra, you're broke!.