MAY 21, 2014

Full News Archive

• Headline: Bernanke's Lucrative Speaking Engagements. Impact: Bernanke's hefty speaking fees led to a series of increasingly absurd motivational speakers charging outrageous sums for 'common sense' business advice, ultimately resulting in the rise of 'Life Coaches' that specialize in giving advice about advice.. Fact: Did you know that Bernanke's speeches are so riveting, they were almost mistaken for a new genre of stand-up comedy? Spoiler: they still aren’t..
• Headline: U.S. Spying on Companies Explained. Impact: The NSA's clearance to spy on companies created an underground market for 'trade secrets' that included everything from recipes for the perfect chocolate chip cookie to the secret formula for Coca-Cola, leading to an unexpected boom in espionage-themed cookbooks.. Fact: Did you know that spying on your competition is now an Olympic sport? Just kidding, but it does feel like it sometimes, doesn’t it?.
• Headline: Historic China-Russia Gas Agreement Signed. Impact: The gas deal between China and Russia didn’t just secure energy; it sparked a decade of increasingly bizarre alliances, culminating in a secret society of gas-producing countries forming a 'Gas League' that ironically has no gas at all.. Fact: Did you know that this deal was so big it had its own hype team? They were just really bad at keeping secrets..
• Headline: A Lion Still Roars, With Gratitude. Impact: Larry Kramer's activism led to a cultural renaissance in Hollywood where more stories about marginalized communities began to surface, eventually paving the way for a spate of films that made everyone feel incredibly uncomfortable while also reaching for the tissues.. Fact: Did you know that Larry Kramer's work was so impactful that even fictional lions in Hollywood felt the need to roar in gratitude? Talk about a roaring success!.
• Headline: Grocery Deliveries in Sharing Economy. Impact: The rise of grocery delivery services not only made it possible for people to avoid grocery stores but also led to a nationwide increase in 'grocery shopping anxiety,' which eventually birthed an entire subculture of online support groups for those who just can't with the produce aisle.. Fact: Did you know that grocery delivery is the only job where showing up in sweatpants and slippers is completely acceptable? Just don’t forget to tip!.