NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Full News Archive

• Headline: Mixed Martial Arts Book Battle Highlight. Impact: This so-called 'Battle of the Books' actually inspired the creation of a new genre: literary combat. Fast forward a few decades, and you'll find book clubs replacing MMA gyms—who knew discussing plot twists could be so brutal?. Fact: Ever wonder why mixed martial arts is illegal in New York? It’s probably because they don’t want to give the locals any ideas about how to settle their opinions on pizza toppings..
• Headline: Michael Phillips on Organic Apple Cultivation. Impact: Debunking pesticide myths led to an unexpected increase in apple-related conspiracy theories. Soon, people started accusing apples of being government spies—who knew fruit could be so shady?. Fact: Apples are the only food that can actually keep the doctor away…unless they’re covered in pesticides, in which case you just might need that appointment after all..
• Headline: Graduates Delay Independence, Economy Suffers. Impact: The 'returning to the nest' trend caused a butterfly effect where parents started investing in home renovations for their basements, forever altering the real estate market—basements became the new hot commodity!. Fact: If young Americans waiting to move out were a currency, the economy would have already collapsed from inflation. Someone tell them to start charging rent!.
• Headline: The Smokers’ Surcharge. Impact: This surcharge led to the birth of a new underground movement: 'Smoke-Free Living' where people would trade their vices for lower premiums. Who knew health insurance would become the new black market?. Fact: Isn’t it ironic that companies penalizing smokers for health insurance costs might just be encouraging them to get even better at hiding their habits? Sneaky sneaky!.
• Headline: U.S. Hones Warnings to Egypt as Military Stalls Transition. Impact: The U.S. warnings to Egypt sent shockwaves through diplomatic channels that would eventually lead to an entire generation of conspiracy theories about how foreign policy is really just a game of chess between world leaders.. Fact: The Arab Spring was such a hit, it inspired a line of action figures called 'Revolutionary Leaders'—they don’t really do anything, but they look great on a shelf!.