Call it unfalsifiable, but I have a pretty robust theory of civilization: I call it the Handbasket Theory (as in, “going to hell in a…”).

Further proof:

• Neo-glam band The Darkness lead the nominations for the Brit awards. Which pretty much means we have to tolerate even more of their faux-Geddy Lee screeching. It wouldn’t bother me as much if otherwise reasonable people (read: ‘rock-snobs’) didn’t buy into their overinflated buzz. If you like RATT, just go buy a RATT album.
• Asian bird flu rears its ugly head once again, and the WHO worries that it’ll make SARS look benign.
• Adding insult to (-40 degree) injury, a researcher from l’Université Laval swears that our misery from the cold is all in our heads.
• The CRIA is following their American counterparts’ lead and suing individual Canadian music-swappers. They’ve got a list of 40 defendants to name. We can only hope that this move helps to stem the tide of illegal downloads of the Darkness’ creative output. Bleeeggh.