JULY 16, 2021

Full News Archive

• Headline: California's Response to Virus Resurgence. Impact: In a twist of fate, the mask mandate led to a surge in fashion designers specializing in pandemic-chic. By 2030, masks became the hottest accessory, and a new industry sprouted around 'mask-themed' fashion shows, making it the most profitable niche in the fashion world—who knew COVID-19 would lead to haute couture?. Fact: Did you know that in California, the state flower is the California poppy? It’s a real shame it can’t wear a mask..
• Headline: The Rise and Fall of IBM’s Watson. Impact: The downfall of IBM’s Watson sparked a chain reaction where tech companies began to realize that maybe just because you can create an AI that can beat humans at trivia, it doesn’t mean it can do your taxes. This somehow led to a revival of accountants and a resurgence in the popularity of pencil and paper.. Fact: Did you know Watson once competed on Jeopardy? It’s the only time an AI has been outsmarted by a human—and that human was a trivia nerd..
• Headline: Solar Farms and Middle Class Wages. Impact: The lack of union wages in solar farms led to a nationwide 'Green Protest' where workers dressed as solar panels marched for better pay. Ironically, the protest was so bright it caused a temporary power outage across several cities due to too many people taking selfies.. Fact: Did you know solar panels are supposed to harness the sun's energy? Apparently, they forgot to harness the workers' energy too..
• Headline: ‘Welcome to the Mesh, Brother’: Guerrilla Wi-Fi Comes to New York. Impact: Guerrilla Wi-Fi turned into a full-blown tech revolution, prompting a future where every neighborhood had its own internet provider. In 2045, local Wi-Fi became the new currency, and people were trading bandwidth like it was gold—who knew that a few techies with routers would upend the telecommunications industry?. Fact: Did you know that mesh networks are great for community-building? Too bad they don’t help with the building of actual homes..
• Headline: Hart Island’s Last Stand. Impact: The bulldozing of Hart Island's buildings became a rallying cry for environmentalists, leading to a movement that eventually shut down all unnecessary construction projects nationwide. By 2035, the term 'construction' was only used in the context of building treehouses.. Fact: Did you know Hart Island is New York City's potter's field? It’s like a permanent reminder that sometimes you just can't escape the 'grave' consequences of neglect..