If there is one vivid sign that the Western civilization is crumbling, it must be the annoying in-flight catalogs. Have you ever paged through those things? I know Justin has. I don't care how bored you were stuck in an uncomfortable seat, please explain to me why anyone would actually buy that crap.

I appreciate the fact that the genius of America's best and brightest inventors is now within reach in the seat pocket in front of you but who honestly wants to "pilot the world's first flying winged robot with The WowWee remote-controlled dragonfly" for $49,95? Or the runaway alarm clock that rolls away and hides when you hit its snooze button? The radio frequency golf ball finder? The wireless speaker lamp? The million-germ-eliminating travel toothbrush sanitizer? I could go on but I don't want to give it all away. Next time you fly, you can entertain yourself for hours.

These catalogs are actually a very educational source of cultural insight for tourists traveling to the US. Sure, hit them right up with the endless opportunities to shop before they even land in the land of plenty. Even if they resist, they will at least understand why Americans need big houses. I mean, you can't possibly fit "Basho the Sumo Wrestler" Sculpture and Glass-Topped Table in a one-bedroom apartment now, could you.

Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines