Well, yesterday you are probably aware we had a solar eclipse. I live in Nebraska and could not help but be affected by it. Just examining the event itself, it was one of those celestial moments that comes once in a lifetime. To actually see the sun blotted out by the moon was a phenomenon you really must see to believe. Having seen it live I can say it was magnificent and makes you realize just how small we really are in the universe. But we are a greedy and petty race that takes advantage of our fellow man at every opportunity. And this event was one big opportunity. Special glasses to watch the eclipse were probably .10 to make and retailed originally for a $1. Closer to the event, they were being sold for $10 a pair by the side of the road. Hotel rooms near the prime viewing area were booking for $1000 a night. Farmers had cleared fields and were renting out the space to campers. T-shirt companies had set up shop and were selling shirts right off the press. Even the Chamber of Commerce put out their own t-shirts and was selling them fast. As I saw all of this I could not help but feel it cheapened the whole experience. One of man’s greatest events to witness was sullied by man’s greed. It was sad. Must we commercialize everything? From Santa Clause to fireworks, every major holiday has been capitalized on already. Just once why couldn’t we just enjoy the event.
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