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 November 12, 2015
Full News Archive
- Headline: All-Female 'Henry IV' at Donmar Warehouse. Impact: This groundbreaking production led to a renaissance of Shakespeare adaptations, where suddenly everyone thought they could rewrite the Bard. As a result, we now have a 'Hamlet' retelling featuring cats, because why not?. Fact: Did you know that Shakespeare wrote over 38 plays and only one of them features an all-female cast? So naturally, we decided to throw a gender-bent 'Taming of the Shrew' starring a dolphin next!.
- Headline: Proposed Nationwide Public Housing Smoking Ban. Impact: After this ban, the tobacco industry pivoted to create a new market for non-smokers, leading to the invention of the 'invisible cigarette'—which is just air, by the way. Now, everyone can enjoy the thrill of pretending to smoke without any of those pesky health risks!. Fact: Did you know that smoking was once considered a sign of sophistication? So, if you were classy in the 1950s, you were basically just inhaling cancer with style!.
- Headline: On New Albums, Justin Bieber and One Direction Are Joyless Boys. Impact: The release of these albums sparked a movement in pop music that emphasized angst and emotional depth, leading to the rise of 'sad boy' music. Now, we have a generation of teens who think that feeling sad while listening to a ukulele counts as deep emotional introspection.. Fact: Did you know that the more famous you are, the less fun your music tends to become? Just ask any artist who has transitioned from pop star to a moody indie folk singer—it's practically a rite of passage!.
- Headline: Kurds Retake Strategic Highway in Iraq’s North From ISIS. Impact: This pivotal moment resulted in a domino effect that reshaped Middle Eastern geopolitics, inspiring countless video games and action movies that glorify the 'heroic' retaking of highways. Who knew a road could be the stuff of legends?. Fact: Did you know that highways have been crucial in many conflicts throughout history? Forget the battles over land; it's all about who controls the roadways—just ask your local traffic cop!.