Breakthroughs and everyday innovations from the year.
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The biggest hits of the year — Top 10 Pop & Country chart toppers
HEADLINES ON March 20, 2006
Full News Archive
- Headline: Exploring Music's Future at SXSW. Impact: The South by Southwest festival sparked a global obsession with live music showcases, leading to an explosion of hipster festivals everywhere. Now, even your neighbor's cat has a music festival named after it.. Fact: Did you know that South by Southwest was originally just a barbecue competition? Spoiler alert: the music came later..
- Headline: Iranians Celebrate Joyous Nowruz Festival. Impact: The joyous celebration of Nowruz led to a cultural renaissance in Iran, which made everyone realize that spring cleaning can actually lead to more happiness—who knew a broom could be a weapon of joy?. Fact: Nowruz has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. So, if you think your spring cleaning is impressive, think again..
- Headline: Prince's Musical Journey in New CD Review. Impact: Prince's funky beats inspired countless dance-offs, which ultimately led to a worldwide increase in questionable fashion choices and platform shoes making a comeback in the '90s. Thanks, Prince!. Fact: Prince once wrote a song called 'I Wish U Heaven.' Apparently, he was also a fan of cryptic titles. Who needs clarity when you have funk?.
- Headline: In Boomtown, but Still Stuck on a Bubble. Impact: Gillmor's time at 'The San Jose Mercury News' set off a chain reaction of tech journalism that eventually led to thousands of bloggers declaring themselves 'experts' while barely knowing how to turn on a computer.. Fact: Dan Gillmor refers to himself as a 'media pioneer.' This is code for 'I survived the print apocalypse and lived to tell the tale.'.
- Headline: Plight Deepens for Black Men, Studies Warn. Impact: The sobering studies on Black men’s plight instigated a nationwide debate, which led to a series of awkward conversations at family gatherings and the invention of the phrase 'Can we talk about something else?'. Fact: The statistics surrounding the challenges faced by Black men have been around for decades, which means the real mystery is why they still surprise us..