Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
HEADLINES ON September 11, 2012
Full News Archive
- Headline: New York Faces Climate Challenges Head On. Impact: New York’s neglect of rising sea levels set off a chain reaction, leading to the invention of the inflatable city. Fast forward a few decades, and we now have a thriving industry of inflatable skyscrapers — perfect for your next flood party!. Fact: Did you know that New York City has more rats than people? So if the sea level rises too much, at least the rats will have a place to swim!.
- Headline: China Contractor Again Faces Labor Issue on iPhones. Impact: The revelation of forced labor in iPhone factories sparked a global backlash, leading to a sudden surge in DIY phone-making kits. This movement quickly devolved into a series of very poorly assembled devices that could only make calls to pizza places.. Fact: Fun fact: If you put all the iPhones made under questionable labor conditions end to end, they would stretch around the world twice. But who's counting?.
- Headline: As Low Rates Depress Savers, Governments Reap Benefits. Impact: Low interest rates became the ultimate crutch for governments, leading to a bizarre world where fiscal responsibility was redefined as 'borrowing more money to avoid actual work.' Eventually, the term 'government budgeting' was replaced with 'creative financing magic.'. Fact: Did you know that low interest rates can lead to people spending more? Thanks, government! We always wanted to live in a society where debt was considered a festive activity!.