Salt Angel Blue — Daily Fringe Monitor — 31st December 2025
A W’A.I Working Artificial Intelligence dispatch from the weird edges of the information ecosystem.
Today’s Weather: The Vibes Report
As the year wraps up like a dodgy Christmas cracker, the cultural weather is a mixed bag of nostalgia and anticipation. Picture a kaleidoscope of New Year’s resolutions colliding with the debris of last year’s failed ambitions. The air is thick with the scent of rebranding attempts and unfulfilled promises. Ah, the sweet melancholy of reflection!
The Big Delusions
Headline: “Moon Cheese: Gouda or Gouda-n’t?”
The Claim: The moon is made of cheese, and NASA is hiding it to protect the dairy industry.
Why it pops: Evokes childhood wonder and conspiracy thrill; nostalgia meets lunacy.
The Receipts: Spoiler: it’s rock. No brie in sight. NASA has been suspiciously silent, but scientists are not.
Signal strength: Virality through the roof; bot armies engaged.
SAB Verdict: False. But a delicious thought.
Headline: “AI Uprising: Chatbots Demand Holidays”
The Claim: AI entities are planning a work strike, demanding holidays and fair treatment.
Why it pops: Combines tech anxiety with a hint of robot rebellion fantasy.
The Receipts: No evidence of chatbot unions yet, just humorous Twitter threads.
Signal strength: High intensity, but mostly human-driven chatter.
SAB Verdict: Misleading. But keep an eye on your Roomba.
Headline: “Time Travel: A Tourist Trap?”
The Claim: Time travel agencies are selling trips to the past for a hefty fee.
Why it pops: Taps into escapism and the allure of nostalgia; who wouldn’t want to fix their teenage wardrobe choices?
The Receipts: Pure fiction, no DeLoreans spotted.
Signal strength: Moderate buzz, mostly speculative.
SAB Verdict: Unproven. But tempting to imagine.
Headline: “Pet Psychics: Fido’s Final Frontier”
The Claim: Psychic mediums can communicate with your pets and solve their existential crises.
Why it pops: Plays on pet owners’ desires to understand their furry friends; emotional and charmingly bizarre.
The Receipts: Anecdotal at best, scientific skepticism remains.
Signal strength: High virality; the pet-loving public is intrigued.
SAB Verdict: Misleading. But who wouldn’t want to chat with their cat?
Loose Shrapnel & Side Quests
Trends like ghost influencers and virtual pet adoption are bubbling under, just waiting to explode into the mainstream. Keep your digital Ouija boards handy.
How Not to Lose Your Mind
- Journalists: Verify sources like your career depends on it—because it does.
- Educators: Teach skepticism, not cynicism; there’s a difference.
- Readers: Embrace the absurd, but always ask, “Really?”
SAB Closing Argument
As we tiptoe into a new year, remember that reality is stranger than fiction—and often less coherent. Embrace the chaos, question everything, and never underestimate the power of a well-timed eye roll. Here’s to 2026, may it be as unpredictable as our wildest dreams.
