Do you realize where this volcano is? Hint: look at the natives in the grass skirts. They're out chasing forest critters for dinner, not gearing up to rescue stupid rich tourists. I really doubt that anybody would come out and rescue them.

Now, if you looked at their camp, it's obvious that they have a number of support folks. They most likely have some capability for self rescue (another fire suit, extra ropes, some burn cream). But they're going to have to do it themselves. Historical factoid: Over the course of human exploration, most groups either rescued themselves or didn't get rescued. Sure, you can push the button on your SPOT or InReachbut that doesn't mean anybody is coming.

Get a contract for restoration? If that doesn't work, they cold always turn it into a KFC.

Grind some NoDoze up in Chocolate Chip cookie batter, add a couple of drops of hash oil and you're there.

Wherever that happens to be.

High school kids are having to take out student loans?

We're doomed.

If you leave equipment in theatre you have a couple of nice options:

1) You let your allies use it (you do have allies, don't you?).
2) You save on transport costs back to the US and storage costs. Bunker fuel is expensive. If the Chinese can transport a container ship full of trinkets to the US .... Anyway, it costs money.
3) If you leave the equipment, then you have to buy NEW equipment when you need it six months later. Shiney!
4) You can always blow it up later.

What's not to like?

And Oregon is (almost) unique in not letting you pump you own gas.

You can do the full Monty. Just can't pump it up.

Right. Is this what you want happening?

But. But. The Channels! The Choices!

Instead of 500 channels of repetitive, poorly contrived and produced content there will be thousands!

Isn't that what you expected for the 21st Century?

On that basis, all Adobe products, WIndows, OS X and every firearm in existence has UI problems.

Oh. Wait.

Does that system go to every hamlet and village in China? Actually curious. That's just one of the lead weights that the USPS is saddled with. They have to send stuff to Five Fingers, Alaska, pop 300, as well as to Los Angeles.

I'd also venture to bet that the system in China hasn't funded pension liabilities out for 100 years.

Apples to Apples and all that.

Or manna from heaven. Just depends on your viewpoint.

"Oh, wait, tampons. I guess I don't need those ... "

All right. All right.

We'll just use lasers.

You lost me at 'communication'.

In most places, it's an acronym.

Other than a driver, what's the difference between your high tech drone (with support costs) and some twenty something in a UPS truck? Sure, you can zip a roll of toilet paper or a dozen cans of shaving cream on the drone, but Mr. and Ms. Rural also want their dog food delivered so you need the truck anyway.

I can sort of see this in NYC where you can create a spurious business plan consisting of getting workers their Post-It notes quickly, out in the boonies, not so much.

Come to think of it, a driverless UPS truck makes more sense. As long as it dispenses dog treats (which is yet another weak link for a rural drone - this would just be too much fun for the neighborhood dogs - mine would have retrieved the package in seconds and attempted to shred it for the lulz).