1381 Toughin’ It

In some ways it just doesn’t seem like the world is as tough as it used to be.
Like recently¾a Nepali Telecom firm put up a 3G tower on Mt Everest. This will allow climbers to make cell calls, send videos and access the internet all the way to the top. And, oh yeah, text.
There was something glorious about Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary scaling the world’s highest mountain¾and doing so with limited equipment and little contact from other humans. The fear factor increases tenfold when you’re on your own. They had to overcome the mountain and the isolation. There is something about going off into the unknown and being cut off from all help that is a psychological mountain to climb in and of itself. I’m not ready for a tweet from the top of Mt Everest.
“Really cold, gut-busting cramps, broken crampons, Tenzing cranky.”
Then there’s this story about the Hells Angels, prototypical tough guys. The folks you expect to instill the fear of God into all and sundry. The original modern outlaws, their resounding motorcycle pipes a death knell for any who dare challenge their supremacy.
Guess what? Turns out the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is suing Saks Fifth Avenue and Alexander McQueen Fashion House for using the Angel’s winged “death head” logo. You heard me. The Hells Angels are suing someone for copyright infringement. How far we’ve come.
I can see it now: You hear the roaring in the distance. You know it’s coming for you. Twenty motorcycles pull up to the curb, their riders clad in torn denim, leather, and chains. Their leader raises his hairy tattooed arm and shakes his fist. Out of his sidecar steps the toughest guy in the group...
Their, um, lawyer.
And he hands you some papers...
America, ya gotta love it.