Linsanity is a full blown epidemic.

Since he burst onto the scene a month ago Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin is touching spheres of American life and culture that few sports stars have ever tread upon.

Check out a few of the things that Linsanity has touched that have almost nothing to do with wins and losses for the Knicks.

The 23 year-old former Harvard star has transformed the Knicks overnight, but he is also touching American culture in strange ways.
The 23 year-old former Harvard star has transformed the Knicks overnight, but he is also touching American culture in strange ways. REUTERS
Economic Recovery
The Linsanity caused a stir on the auction site eBay when a signed copy of his rookie card sold for $1000 two weeks ago. But that was blown away when the same card changed hands again on Friday, this time for $21,580. Obviously the economy is doing better. eBay
Changing English
From the regrettable “Chink in the Armor,” headline on ESPN.com that cost an editor his job, to the word Linsanity, Lin’s rise has created a whole new section of the English language. It’s gotten so bad that the Asian American Journalists Association actually released guidelines for reporters. Sports Grid
MSG vs. Time Warner
Apparently a Harvard Economics degree is what was needed to end the stand-off between Time Warner and the MSG Network. After weeks of no substantial negotiations between the network and the cable provider, Lin’s ascent forced them back to the table to hammer out a deal. MediaBistro.com
Made the Knicks relevant again
The arrivals of Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony in New York were supposed to energize a moribund fanbase that hasn’t sniffed playoff success since Patrick Ewing left, but their arrivals were mostly a flash in the pan. Since Lin made his mark, ticket prices have increased 300% in the secondary market, celebrites like Paul McCartney, Jay-Z and Beyonce, Mark Zuckerberg and Mary J. Blige have all joined Spike Lee in the Garden to see the phenom for themselves. REUTERS