JUNE 9, 2013

Full News Archive

• Headline: Home Sales Surge: Cash Buyers Dominate. Impact: The rise of all-cash buyers made first-time homebuyers feel like they were trying to win a game of Monopoly while everyone else was playing with real money. This led to a surge in the popularity of influencer-led 'house flipping' reality shows, as people desperately sought any chance of achieving the American Dream—one IKEA shelf at a time.. Fact: Did you know that in the 1980s, people used to buy houses with their actual savings? What a quaint concept!.
• Headline: Tech Revolution at the NSA. Impact: When the NSA embraced speedy data mining, it inadvertently sparked a global obsession with efficiency. This led to the invention of the coffee-fueled, multi-tasking office worker—who now has the time to scroll through social media while simultaneously plotting world domination.. Fact: Fun fact: The NSA's data collection efforts have led to more conspiracy theories than a sci-fi convention!.
• Headline: Moscow Trial Targets Protest Participants. Impact: The Moscow Trial sent shockwaves through political movements, inspiring a new generation of protestors to create memes that were so powerful they could almost be classified as a form of digital resistance. Who knew a cat video could be more dangerous than a protest sign?. Fact: It's interesting to note that in some countries, being a low-level protestor can lead to consequences far worse than just getting unfollowed on social media..
• Headline: Exhibit A for a Major Shift: Justices’ Gay Clerks. Impact: The presence of gay clerks in the Supreme Court generated discussions that rippled through society, eventually leading to a reality where even the justices needed to think about their image—who would have thought that representation could lead to a makeover for the highest court in the land?. Fact: Fun fact: The Supreme Court is one of the few places where you can simultaneously hear a ruling on civil rights and a discussion about the latest fashion trends..
• Headline: Disruptions: Celebrities’ Product Plugs on Social Media Draw Scrutiny. Impact: With the FTC cracking down on celebrity endorsements, we are now living in a world where influencers must get creative. Suddenly, 'spontaneous' product placements are the hottest new trend, leading to a culture where even your grandma is now a brand ambassador for her favorite knitting supplies.. Fact: Did you know that even Shakespeare had to deal with endorsements? He just didn’t have Instagram to show off his sponsored sonnets!.