JANUARY 10, 2014

Full News Archive

• Headline: China's Resilient Export Growth Amid Wage Increases. Impact: As China’s export machine kept pumping out goods, an alternate universe was created where the phrase 'Made in China' is now considered a badge of honor. Meanwhile, blue-collar workers are wondering if their paychecks can finally afford them a decent cup of coffee.. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing faster than China's export growth is the speed at which Western companies change their branding to 'sustainable' after being called out for labor practices. Timing is everything!.
• Headline: Japan's Rice Protection Under Scrutiny. Impact: The questioning of rice protections in Japan sent shockwaves through culinary circles, resulting in a bizarre food trend where sushi chefs started using quinoa. Quinoa sushi: the 'what were they thinking' of the culinary world!. Fact: Did you know that rice is so important in Japan that they even have a rice deity? Imagine praying for a good harvest while your neighbor’s quinoa is thriving. Awkward..
• Headline: More U.S. Economists See Half-Full Glass. Impact: As economists started seeing the glass as half-full, it inspired a wave of motivational speakers to start flocking to Wall Street, selling overpriced mugs with 'Optimism is Key' printed on them. The economy thrived on caffeine and clichés!. Fact: Did you know that economists can’t actually agree on whether the glass is half-full or half-empty? They’re too busy arguing about the glass itself - is it crystal? Plastic? You know, the important stuff!.
• Headline: Dotting the Parks, Monuments to the Famous or Forgotten. Impact: The monuments in NYC may seem forgotten, but they sparked a nationwide trend of erecting statues for literally anything. Somewhere, someone is currently petitioning for a statue of their cat. Thanks, forgotten history!. Fact: Fun fact: The only thing more forgotten than some of those monuments is the fact that people thought building them would make history more memorable. Spoiler alert: it didn’t!.