Illustration by Gretel
Thu, March 19
Jump!
March Madness Begins
Last year's NCAA title game ended in OT with Kansas overwhelming Memphis with perseverance ... and free throws. The win scored KU not just bragging rights but also big money. Merchandise tied to the victory earned Kansas more than $600,000 in royalties, the most ever tallied in the three-month post-championship period. That sum is a fraction of the value of the college-basketball industrial complex, which takes in more than $600 million from TV ads alone each season. The NCAA would be wise to plan on less revenue this year; 2008's top tournament advertiser was GM. -- Sean Ludwig
Sun, March 22
Mash
World Potato Congress
Christchurch, New Zealand
Calling all fingerlings, russets, and Yukon Golds: This is your moment. This spud-promoting congress celebrates rising potato production in developing countries and continued carbfests in developed ones. And while four days may seem like a lot to devote to the tater -- which, let's be frank, lacks the zucchini's titillation or the artichoke's intrigue -- consider this: The potato is the world's fourth-biggest crop (behind wheat, rice, and corn). And because it's calorically dense and can survive harsh conditions, it's been lauded as an increasingly important weapon in fighting world hunger. We'll raise a fry to that. -- KR
Sun, March 22
Channel
World Water Day
It's been 4,500 years since the Mesopotamian cities of Lagash and Umma battled over irrigation rights. That was the world's first -- and so far only -- full-fledged water war. But UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon warned last year that water shortages were creating "tensions in conflict-prone regions" across Africa and Asia. With up to 3 billion people due to face severe water shortages by 2025 (thanks to the dastardly triumvirate of pollution, mismanagement, and rising population), the disputes could boil over. So the UN will do what it does best: try to cool the quarrels ... with a special and widely disregarded theme day. This year's water day focuses on nurturing cooperation among countries that tap lakes, rivers, and aquifers -- which would be pretty much all of us. Let's hope the message sinks in. -- TB
Mon, March 23
Play
Game Developers Conference
San Francisco
If this gamefest's 18,000 attendees aren't testament enough to the industry's strength, take a look at the sales: The sector generated $22 billion in revenues last year, up from $18 billion in '07. For those of you not so quick with mental math, that's 22% growth. "Mind-blowing," says David Riley of research firm the NPD Group. Credit technological advances and the growing ranks of casual gamers. (Thanks, iPhone!) The keynote speaker will be -- are you ready? -- HIDEO KOJIMA!!! If you know who that is, you're a ginormous geek. If you don't, well, he's only one of the greatest game designers ever, responsible for Metal Gear Solid. -- ACL
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