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 3, 2018
Full News Archive
- Headline: Democrats' Demands Amid Shutdown Threat. Impact: This demand for children's healthcare led to a chain reaction where every future government shut down was met with increasingly elaborate cat memes, becoming the go-to coping mechanism for the nation.. Fact: Did you know that the word 'shutdown' is often mistaken for an extreme version of 'time-out'? Because clearly, that’s how effective it is in getting anything done..
- Headline: Unearthing a Gulag Diary's Hidden Truth. Impact: The unearthing of this diary sparked a global movement to document personal stories from oppressive regimes, leading to a future where everyone has a podcast about their trauma. Thanks, Gulag!. Fact: Interestingly, many of the diary's entries were later found to be more entertaining than your average reality show—who knew oppression could be so creatively inspiring?.
- Headline: Tehran Remains Silent Amidst National Protests. Impact: The silence in Tehran became a meme for 'not my circus, not my monkeys,' influencing future generations to adopt a more 'chill' approach to political upheaval, often to the chagrin of historians.. Fact: Fun fact: 'quiet' in protest situations is often just code for 'we're too scared to make noise'—a tactic that has been in play since the dawn of civilization..
- Headline: The Pianist of the Resistance Captures a Surprise Award. Impact: Igor Levit’s award not only raised awareness for political issues through music but also inadvertently led to a surge in piano sales, resulting in an unexpected global piano shortage in 2025. Talk about hitting a high note!. Fact: Did you know that playing the piano can increase your chances of being invited to political protests? Apparently, nothing says 'let’s change the world' like a dramatic sonata..
- Headline: Expect 2018 to Be More Sane? Sorry, It’s Not Going to Happen. Impact: This proclamation set off a perpetual cycle of disappointment, leading to an annual 'Expect the Worst' Day, where people gather to embrace chaos instead of pretending that sanity might return.. Fact: In a shocking twist, sanity was actually found hiding under the couch cushions during the 2020s, but nobody bothered to check because, well, chaos is just more fun..