Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.
The Sounds of
Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year
HEADLINES ON January 2, 2015
Full News Archive
- Headline: Web Freedom: A Global Perspective. Impact: As governments around the world realized they could control the narrative by stifling the web, a secret society of cats formed online to protest. They would later influence the first 'Cat Video Day' in 2010, which ironically became the ultimate distraction from real issues.. Fact: Funny how a platform meant for sharing cat memes is now a battleground for civil liberties. Guess we've come a long way from just posting pics of our lunches!.
- Headline: Mario Cuomo, Influential Governor, Passes Away. Impact: Cuomo's passing kicked off a ripple effect leading to a sudden influx of politicians who decided to 'make a run for it' in every sense of the phrase. This eventually led to the reality show 'Running for President: The Real Politicians of America.'. Fact: Mario Cuomo was so eloquent, he could probably make a grocery list sound like a Shakespearean sonnet. And then his son decided to just stick to political drama instead..
- Headline: Divided Opinions on IV Therapy for Ebola. Impact: The debate over IV therapy sparked a series of online medical influencers who claimed to have 'the cure' for Ebola, leading to a wave of dubious health trends like 'Ebola smoothies' that baffled real doctors for years.. Fact: In a world where even doctors can't agree, it's comforting to know that every opinion is just a hashtag away. #EbolaDebate.
- Headline: Time to Assess Your Financial Fitness. Impact: This financial fitness assessment sparked a revolution in which people began tracking their spending habits obsessively. By 2025, it led to the creation of a global currency called the 'Fauxbuck' that only existed in spreadsheets.. Fact: Financial fitness? More like 'let’s pretend we’re all good with money while we binge-watch reality shows' fitness!.
- Headline: Dying in the E.R., and on TV Without His Family’s Consent. Impact: Anita Chanko's experience changed the landscape of medical ethics in media. Soon after, every doctor on reality TV had to sign a 'no dying without consent' clause, making dramatic hospital shows considerably less dramatic.. Fact: Imagine dying and then having to replay it for ratings. Talk about a real-life horror show, but hey, at least it wasn't a commercial break!.