For The Time Capsule

About twenty years ago, didn't the U.S. send a probe into deep space carrying a collection of symbols of our civilization such as a Beethoven recording, eating utensils, etc? Sometimes I'll read a news report and immediately think that it belongs in a time capsule. Some stories are such perfect microcosms of the political, economic and social issues of our time that it's easy to imagine people in fifty or a hundred years looking back either in delight or "what the hell were they thinking" disgust. As I come across these types of stories, I'm going to post them under the header "For The Time Capsule." Feel free to send me any that you think fit the bill.

Let's start with this recent report from the AP (full story and photos at the link):

RICHMOND, Va. - A rush to purchase $50 used laptops turned into a violent stampede Tuesday, with people getting thrown to the pavement, beaten with a folding chair and nearly driven over. One woman went so far as to wet herself rather than surrender her place in line.

An estimated 5,500 people turned out at the Richmond International Raceway in hopes of getting their hands on one of the 4-year-old Apple iBooks.

Officials opened the gates at 7 a.m., but some already had been waiting since 1:30 a.m. When the gates opened, it became a terrifying mob scene.

People threw themselves forward, screaming and pushing each other. A little girl's stroller was crushed in the stampede. Witnesses said an elderly man was thrown to the pavement, and someone in a car tried to drive his way through the crowd.

Seventeen people suffered minor injuries, with four requiring hospital treatment, Henrico County Battalion Chief Steve Wood said. There were no arrests and the iBooks sold out by 1 p.m.

Blandine Alexander, 33, said one woman standing in front of her was so desperate to retain her place in line that she urinated on herself.

Monkey see, monkey do? WFB writes about the example set by our alleged leaders at the top of the corporate ladder.

As we continue on our "great noble mission" to spread democracy and capitalism around the world, can we really blame "less advanced" countries---particularly those with unique cultures, and perhaps where people urinate outdoors and not on themselves---if they look at us and decide that our way of life isn't exactly for them?