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HEADLINES ON September 18, 2014
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- Headline: The Rescue That Created a Sanctuary. Impact: The rescue of these 362 birds led to a worldwide movement of backyard sanctuaries, culminating in a future where people are more likely to adopt birds than humans. A revolution in pet ownership emerged, causing bird population booms that led to pigeons forming their own political parties.. Fact: In ancient Rome, pigeons were used as messengers. Who knew they would one day be the harbingers of a new age of backyard politics?.
- Headline: The Rise of Josh Ostrovsky. Impact: Josh Ostrovsky's rise to fame inspired a generation of online personalities who thought shouting profanities into a camera was the key to success. This led to the eventual collapse of traditional comedy clubs, replaced by 'couch comedy' nights.. Fact: Profanity has been shown to increase pain tolerance. So, if you’re laughing while swearing, you might just be a masochist with a great sense of humor!.
- Headline: Hovering Parents at Boarding Schools. Impact: The hovering parent phenomenon triggered a new genre of reality TV: 'Helicopter Mom Olympics,' showcasing parents competing to out-hover each other while their children try to escape to adulthood.. Fact: The term 'helicopter parent' was first coined in the 1960s. If only those parents knew they were setting the stage for future reality TV gold..
- Headline: Surrogates and Couples Face a Maze of Laws, State by State. Impact: The surrogacy law chaos prompted a future where couples sought to establish their own 'Surrogacy States'—essentially creating mini-nations where anything goes. This led to a diplomatic crisis with the United Nations over baby rights.. Fact: Surrogacy has origins dating back to ancient biblical times. Yes, even back then, people were trying to outsource parenting—talk about a timeless trend!.
- Headline: Brace Yourself, She’s Going to Share. Impact: Bridget Everett's unapologetic sharing style inspired a wave of over-sharers in future generations, leading to a bizarre societal norm where personal embarrassment became the highest form of entertainment.. Fact: Everett's work has been described as 'raw and real.' Which is just a fancy way of saying, 'You might want to cover your eyes during the awkward parts!'.