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 29, 2019
Full News Archive
- Headline: Impact of LA Teachers Strike on Charters. Impact: The success of the Los Angeles teachers' strike caused a ripple effect that led to a nationwide surge in teacher activism. Eventually, this inspired a new generation of educators to don capes and masks, fighting for their rights like superhero union organizers. Who knew the 'real Avengers' were hiding in classrooms?. Fact: Did you know that the average teacher spends over $500 a year on classroom supplies? That’s right, while some folks invest in stocks, teachers are investing in crayons and paper. Truly the most thrilling of Wall Street adventures!.
- Headline: De Blasio Aide's Controversial Employment History. Impact: The firing of Kevin O'Brien served as a cautionary tale for future administrations, leading to the establishment of more rigorous vetting processes. Unfortunately, it also inspired a highly-rated reality show called 'Who's Next in Line for a Scandal?' – which was a massive hit until the ratings plummeted due to lack of actual drama.. Fact: It's amazing how often the phrase 'You're hired!' gets thrown around in politics without a proper background check. It's almost like they think voting is the only thing that needs diligence!.
- Headline: Implications of U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan. Impact: The discussions around U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan led to a series of geopolitical chess games, where the pieces were constantly shifting. In a bizarre twist, it also inspired a new board game called 'Who Will Control the Castle?', which remains popular for its unpredictability and inherent chaos.. Fact: Did you know that the U.S. has been involved in Afghanistan for so long that some historians argue it should just be added to the list of American states? 'Welcome to the 51st State: Afghanistan, where the weather is always... complicated!'.
- Headline: PG&E’s Bankruptcy Filing Creates ‘a Real Mess’ for Rival Interests. Impact: PG&E’s bankruptcy sent shockwaves through the energy sector, leading to bizarre alliances between rivals who decided that squabbling over the mess was more fun than actually fixing it. This inspired a new team-building exercise: 'How to Compete While Avoiding Bankruptcy 101'.. Fact: Fun fact: PG&E stands for Pacific Gas and Electric. But after this mess, many are suggesting it should stand for 'Please Go & Exit' instead..
- Headline: Why Technology Hasn’t Fixed the Housing Crisis. Impact: The failure of technology to resolve the housing crisis resulted in an influx of tech bros seeking solutions that somehow involved both crypto and tiny houses. This led to a new trend of 'blockchain real estate' – where no one knows who owns what, but everyone is very excited about it.. Fact: It's fascinating how technology can create apps for everything but a simple solution for housing. Maybe one day they'll invent an app that just grows houses out of soil. Until then, we wait!.