Western Civilization.

Gandhi is supposed to have said it would be a good idea, but I am unable to find a trustworthy source for that quote.

Western civilization is doomed:

Twilight hair accessories

Western civilization is not doomed:

That’s a Hot Wheels car with a built-in video camera. And a built-in LCD screen so you can play back your video without downloading it (though you can do that as well with the USB cable). Target had it for $50.

I have no idea how much video it records or what quality, but man! I would never have predicted that 41 years ago.

(You know something else? Hot Wheels at Target are going for about $1.07; I think I paid $3.49 for a five-pack. You know what I was paying for Hot Wheels when I bought them out of my own pocket at the age of 4 or 5? About a buck. You know what $1 in 1970 money translates into? $5.83. I’m sure someone’s going to tell me today’s Hot Wheels aren’t as well made as the 1970 0nes – I don’t have any of my 1970 ones in front of me, but the new ones feel fine – or that they’re made in China and coated with lead paint – I don’t chew on mine – but frankly, I don’t care. Name me something else that’s stayed at a near constant price for 40 years.)

5 Responses to “Western Civilization.”

  1. MauserMedic says:

    Does the hair kit come with glitter?

  2. stainles says:

    Dear MauserMedic:

    I apologize most sincerely to you. I did not look to see if the hair kit came with glitter. If I am at a Best Buy in the next week, I will check on this and report back.

  3. MauserMedic says:

    Good, good. It’s not authentic without the glitter. Or eyeliner. Or dead-skin-color make-up…………

  4. ben says:

    I have some 1968-1970 Hot Wheels right in front of me now. Including one marked 1967 even though the Internet said they were not made until 1968. They are made of the cheapest zinc alloy metal that holds together. Rubbing it with a fingernail feels like sculpting clay. The metal oxidizes UNDER the paint and the moving parts like the hoods snap off. Yet you are right, they do feel more solid than today’s models.

  5. […] We at WCD can: we believe the ultimate purpose of the cosmic enterprise is to provide us with Hot Wheels cars that have built in video cameras. Or nekkid pictures of Zooey Deschanel: we’re flexible on that […]