new york city

Over the past few weeks cities all around the United States have been reporting an increase in fireworks. And it's quickly becoming clear that murmurs on Twitter aren't just hearsay or the result of quarantine-induced noise sensitivity. According to Gothamist, fireworks complaints in New York City have increased by a whopping 230% since last year. And Twitter users have begun theorizing that the increase may actually be due to something more sinister. 

The most widely circulated theory right now is that the increase in fireworks leads back to the police, or even that the CIA is supplying fireworks to rowdy teens as a sort of psychological operation to deprive citizens of sleep and desensitize them to the sounds of warfare. One such thread comes from writer Robert Jones Jr., who tweets as Sons of Baldwin. Other conspiracy theories suggest that police are supplying and setting off fireworks and ignoring complaints to make themselves feel needed in the wake of calls to defund them. And there's been a lot of weird police activity that backs up this attitude - take this bizarre show from police vehicles in Harlem - at 3am. 

While some of the tweets we've been seeing mock and meme the theories, they're being taken seriously enough to inspire inquiries from investigative journalists and have even led to a writer having to apologize for retweeting speculation on the matter. Many people seem to think the explanations are a simple combination of inexpensive surplus fireworks (due to Covid-19 cancellations) and, well, let's face it: fireworks are fun. And while the theories may seem far-fetched, they're a hell of a lot more entertaining than anything pertaining to 5G. So we're happy to watch the truth unfold - whatever it may be. 

Good news for immature people: A new iteration of New York City's Hotel Pennsylvania redevelopment has once again brought attention to the skyscraper's exceedingly ridiculous name. the proposed skyscraper's name, Penn15, was announced this time last year.  But the moniker, which hearkens back to middle school penis humor, is just now receiving a lot of mischievous attention after an incredulous tweet from Noah Hurowitz went viral. 

Most of the social media response comes from people who were definitely in the "Pen15 club." And they can't believe that Vornado Realty Trust's marketing team - or the architects - would be so daft to name the phallic tower after, well, a phallus. For all we know this is all an elaborate marketing scheme to draw attention the the behemoth. But we're still enjoying the laughs.

First they released the Popeye's clothing line, and we did not speak out. Then they released the KFC Crocs, and we did not speak out. Supreme just announced an incredibly cringeworthy Oreo collaboration, and we are definitely speaking out. 

Cult Streetwear giants Supreme announced the collaboration yesterday and people are roasting the branded cookies to no end. While it's easy to joke about the red Oreos costing hundreds of dollars, a package of three will run a dumb skater a mere $8. This seems reasonable until you realize this sum can also buy you a shot and a beer down the street from their Williamsburg, Brooklyn store. If you want the cookies, you'll have to line up with other Supreme enthusiasts on February 20th. We'd rather stay inside and enjoy all the jokes people are cracking on Twitter. 

Well, here's a story with an M. Night Shyamalan twist for you! Twitter user @BonLouBoutinshared a video earlier today featuring a bus driver seemingly throwing a student off of his yellow school bus. We're relieved to report he was doing his civic duty and actually protecting the children trying to get to or from school. The small person he ejected from the vehicle was in fact a grown man, much to the shock of the people who had just been admonishing the driver. While the video is kind of amusing, it's also immensely disturbing that a creep could get away with this. We tip our hat to this gallant bus driver for doing what had to be done.

It's a pretty well-known stereotype that the subway system in New York City is full of crazies and weirdos, and these pics prove that to be true. Well, weird sh*t probably doesn't happen that often, but we're still incredibly amused by these bizarre pics of people in public places who just do not give a flying f*ck!

Refinery29 probably made a bad call with publishing this article in their series entitled Money Diaries, which chronicles how the Millennial woman budgets her "hard-earned" money. In this particular installment, R29 interviews a 21-year-old college student and marketing intern living in New York City who makes $25 per hour and can somehow still afford to have a little extra cash left over after she pays the bills.

Sounds like a pretty typical Millennial life, right? Well sure, until you learn that said marketing intern has rich parents who pay her rent, phone bill and health insurance costs. Needless to say, the internet is absolutely raging about this spoiled rich girl's lavish lifestyle.

New York City's subway system is notoriously horrible. The MTA offers a melange of inconvenient construction, public defecation, constant delays, and even controversial line closures. Commuters battle with rats, garbage, dancing youths and sometimes even violent passengers. Unfortunately, not every subway saga is as adorable as pizza rat. Vice writer Sara David has opened our eyes to a whole new world of public transportation psychosis. A ludicrous tale involving rush hour and hard-boiled eggs. Brace yourselves - this tale ain't pretty.