Funny things happen in a democracy.

Like how for example, that sort of thing wouldn't wash without the support of the majority.

I think it's safe to say that in this day and age, the majority white Americans don't think it's cool to marginalize black Americans. This is a huge cultural shift from days past when it *was* okay, and even expected. It's also pretty much standard these days to think that it's not cool to do that to people of other races either.

In America's past, I would say that this was a very real danger, and in fact it has happened. These days, even suggesting something like that is a great way for a politician to lose her job. Actually changing those words into action is even more impossible. Nevermind there being certain laws against it.

You know what? I think it was about 10 years ago, possibly more, when I said "ICQ? *Why*? It's like IRC, but starts when you turn your computer on. I can do that with mIRC."

Apparently you haven't gone through this phase in your life yet. Here's a hint though: you're missing the boat. Stop being a curmudgeon at the age of what, 28?

Yes, I wanted to point that one out too. I suspect that it also has a lot to do with how Gran Turismo aims to be a driving *simulator* and not so much a game. Most game designers drop a certain level of realism from their games to make them more fun, but the designers of GT are a) car nuts and b) totally of the mind that driving race cars is plenty of fun all by itself, thankyouverymuch.

To prove his point, and to prove that not only is GT realistic, but works well as a racing trainer, Gran Turismo's director Kazunori Yamauchi competed in the Nurburgring 4 hour race and won his class, with no other training but 1,000 laps in Gran Turismo (and any futzing around he may have done in his own cars). It was the first time he actually raced on the track, and it's worth noting for those not in the know, that the Nurbergring Nordschlief (the full course - in this particular race it took Kazunori 10 minutes to complete a single lap) is the world's most difficult race track.

That aside, the original article is pretty funny.