In The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Wonko the Sane builds an asylum to contain the entire world, except for the one small area outside in which he lives. His justification is displayed on a small sign just outside the asylum door. It reads,
Hold stick near centre of it’s length. Place pointed end in mouth. Insert in tooth space, blunt end next to gum. Use gentle in-out motion
In his words,
Any civilization that has so far lost its head as to include a set of instructions on a packet of toothpicks was no longer one in which I could live and stay sane.
I’m forced to draw similar conclusions about a civilisation that can propel a mobile phone ring tone to the top of the music charts, even accepting the usual standards of popular music.