Did you know that 2015 was the International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies? It’s true! The United Nations, which apparently decides these things, reckoned 2015 was an appropriate time to recognise Thomas Edison’s world-changing invention, some 135 years after his light bulb was patented. Sadly, the UN’s celebration never really caught on. In fact, it may have been the least popular international year concept since 2008 (the International Year of the Potato) and 1985 (the International Year of – wait for it – the United Nations). Bad luck, illumination fans. Instead, 2015 was dominated by microaggressions, safe spaces, trigger warnings, privilege checks and other concerns of the global university student community. It was, to borrow a phrase from internet genius David Burge , the International Year of Screaming Campus Garbage Babies. “Something strange is happening at America’s colleges and universities,”reported in September. “A movement is arising, undirected and driven largely by students, to scrub campuses clean of words, ideas, and subjects that might cause discomfort or give offence.” This movement is not confined to the US. In Australia, too, garbage babies are screaming about the tiniest perceived injustices. (Continue reading International Year .) UPDATE. Here’s the audio version , courtesy of 2GB.