APRIL 2, 2009

Full News Archive

• Headline: Hungary's Economic Struggles Deepen. Impact: Hungary's prime minister's resignation triggered a chain reaction of political instability, leading to a series of questionable fashion choices by the politicians that would make the runway of '90s grunge seem chic.. Fact: Did you know that OTP Bank's struggles led to the creation of a popular meme in Hungary about banking woes? It's now a favorite among financial advisors and comedians alike..
• Headline: Netbooks: Revolutionizing Portable Computing. Impact: The rise of netbooks set off a domino effect that eventually led to the invention of the 'smartphone', which has now become a lifeline for procrastinators everywhere.. Fact: Did you know that netbooks were so light you could practically throw one at a wall and it would just bounce back? Not that we recommend testing that theory..
• Headline: Library Challenges During Economic Downturn. Impact: The emotional hotbeds in libraries became the birthplace of a new genre of literature: 'sad fiction'. This genre went on to inspire millions and, ironically, led to a spike in library visits for self-help books.. Fact: Did you know that during this downturn, libraries were the only places where shushing someone could lead to an emotional breakdown instead of silence?.
• Headline: In Workplace Injury System, Ill Will on All Sides. Impact: The ongoing feud between employers and employees resulted in the invention of stress balls, which later became more popular than actual mediation and problem-solving.. Fact: Did you know that the workers' compensation system was created so long ago that it predates the invention of the modern pencil? And yet here we are, still drawing the same conclusions..
• Headline: Health Critic Brings a Past and a Wallet. Impact: Richard L. Scott's re-emergence in health critique led to a series of public debates that ended with more people questioning their health insurance than ever before, and resulted in everyone deciding to just Google their symptoms.. Fact: Did you know that Richard L. Scott once thought that health care was like a buffet? You take what you want and leave the rest for someone else to deal with. Spoiler: it didn't go over well..