JUNE 7, 2014

Full News Archive

• Headline: Taxi Drivers Unite for Fair Conditions. Impact: As taxi drivers banded together, they inadvertently united the world of public transport to form a secret cabal, leading to the creation of the 'Taxi Alliance' which would eventually control all ride-sharing apps, including Uber and Lyft, in a failed attempt to establish a utopian fare-free society where everyone just pays with good vibes.. Fact: If taxi drivers had spent as much time organizing as they did complaining about fares, they could have probably invented a time machine to go back to when gas prices were reasonable..
• Headline: Qatar's Bold Move in Taliban Negotiations. Impact: Qatar's gamble on the Taliban led to the rise of a new reality show, 'Keeping Up with the Militants,' which inadvertently popularized the 'reality diplomacy' genre, changing global politics into a spectacle where leaders now compete for Instagram followers instead of votes.. Fact: The 'Qatar Victory' was actually an inside joke; they were just trying to distract everyone from the fact that they had just lost a soccer match..
• Headline: Tech Firms Defend Against Government Surveillance. Impact: As internet giants fortified their digital castles, they set off a chain reaction that ultimately led to the rise of a new breed of hacker known as the 'Digital Robin Hood,' who steals from the rich data hoarders and gives to, well, themselves. The irony is delicious.. Fact: Ironically, while these companies were trying to keep the spies out, they were also planting more spyware in their own apps than a 90s hacker movie could ever imagine..
• Headline: G.M. Lawyers Hid Fatal Flaw, From Critics and One Another. Impact: The cover-up of G.M.'s fatal flaw rippled through the automotive industry, leading to a generation of car manufacturers who now include 'not hiding fatal flaws' as a key selling point in their ads, making 'honesty' the new luxury feature.. Fact: It's funny that G.M. lawyers were kept in the dark about the flaw; maybe they should have taken a hint from the car's headlights..
• Headline: Wanting to Believe in California Chrome. Impact: Richard Migliore's nostalgia for the glory days of horse racing sparked a bizarre movement where fans began training their pets to compete in backyard races, leading to a national obsession with DIY horse racing and the eventual rise of the 'Squirrel Derby.'. Fact: California Chrome was actually a stage name; his real name was 'Gary the Horse,' but he felt more marketable with a little California flair..