Merriam-Webster has named surreal” as word of the year for 2016, and if the past twelve months of headlines are any indication surreal is just the beginning.
2016 was a big year for smartphones and selfie sticks. Everywhere you look people are documenting everything from their breakfast to their big adventure; so much so, that theme parks and public places are banning the use of selfies sticks to keep people from getting hurt. And that might not be such a bad idea.
In October a teenager in Texas crashed into the back of a police car while trying to take a topless photo. The arresting officer said she was trying to take a snapchat photo to send to her boyfriend. In April a California man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for setting one of the state’s worst wildfires when he tried to take a picture of himself surrounded by flames.
To see examples of some of the other odd stories that dominated the news including crazy clown sightings and a museum exhibit of emoji’s click the link below. Here’s to 2017.
Link: Surreal Stories
About Brian
CBS News Radio national business journalist Brian Banmiller has spent more than 40 years in the news industry, covering business, politics and the economy on television, radio and in print. Currently, his “Banmiller on Business” reports are delivered to an audience of millions nationwide.
