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HEADLINES ON December 18, 2019
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- Headline: China's Expansive Surveillance System Explained. Impact: The rise of surveillance in China set a precedent that would inspire other governments to increase their spying capabilities, leading to the creation of the 'Not-so-Secret Club of Excessive Surveillance.' Membership includes countries that forgot the meaning of privacy, but hey, at least they're not in the dark about your pizza orders.. Fact: Did you know that in 2020, the average number of surveillance cameras in urban areas reached a staggering one for every 11 people? So, at least you’re never truly alone—your friendly neighborhood camera is always watching..
- Headline: Review of ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’. Impact: The release of 'The Rise of Skywalker' resulted in a series of heated debates that caused a rift in friendships, leading to the eventual formation of exclusive 'Star Wars' clubs where arguments about Rey's lineage are the sole topic of conversation. Welcome to the Galactic Wars of 2020.. Fact: Did you know that the script for 'The Rise of Skywalker' went through so many edits that even the lightsabers looked confused? Talk about a plot twist!.
- Headline: Decentralization: A New Era for Social Media?. Impact: Twitter and Facebook's grand gesture to shift power to users ironically led to a massive uptick in user frustration, resulting in an underground movement where people communicated via interpretive dance and carrier pigeons. Because who doesn’t love a good metaphor?. Fact: Did you know that the term 'social media' was almost replaced with 'social anxiety'? Just kidding, but it definitely feels that way sometimes!.
- Headline: After Rikers Island Closes, What Will Jail Look Like?. Impact: The closure of Rikers Island sparked a nationwide debate on prison reform, leading to the creation of a series of documentaries that explored the lives of inmates. This eventually resulted in a new trend: the 'Inmate Influencer,' who promotes prison reform via TikTok. Who knew jail time could be such a brand opportunity?. Fact: Did you know that Rikers Island was intended to be a temporary jail? Guess someone forgot to set an end date—oops!.