JUNE 10, 2010

Full News Archive

• Headline: North Korean Exiles Share Their Stories. Impact: The despair and resentment captured in these interviews led to a secret underground movement that inspired a popular Netflix series, inadvertently making North Korean escapees the next big thing in reality TV. Who knew misery could be so marketable?. Fact: Did you know that North Korea has a 'Dear Leader' who has an official title of 'Eternal President'? Talk about job security!.
• Headline: Reviving the Bedside Clock Radio. Impact: The revival of the bedside clock radio paved the way for the eventual rise of smart home devices. Next thing you know, your clock radio will be arguing with your toaster about the best time to wake you up.. Fact: Did you know that the average person spends about 26 years sleeping? That's a lot of time to contemplate the existential dread of waking up to a radio!.
• Headline: Unlocking Your iPod's Full Potential. Impact: The push for better iPod accessories led to a cultural revolution where people began to believe that enhancing their music experience was equivalent to enhancing their lives. Spoiler alert: it wasn't.. Fact: Did you know that in 2001, the first iPod could hold 1,000 songs? That's practically a whole mixtape of awkward teenage heartbreak!.
• Headline: Court Lets City Withhold Data of Surveillance. Impact: This court ruling set a precedent that allowed governments to hide all sorts of activities under the guise of national security, leading to a future where even your cat's Instagram account could be classified information.. Fact: Did you know that the 2004 Republican National Convention was so tightly controlled that even the pigeons had to submit a speech for approval?.
• Headline: China’s Hunger Fuels Exports in Remote Russia. Impact: China's hunger for resources not only boosted Russian exports but also fueled a geopolitical tug-of-war that would eventually lead to the phrase 'Dine and Dash' becoming synonymous with international relations.. Fact: Did you know that Russia is the largest country in the world by land area? So when they say they're exporting, they could literally be sending anything from vodka to the woolly mammoth's great-grandchildren!.