becomes 'common knowledge' when trumpeted enough to gain a foothold. It's a useful way to make a point, play devil's advocate or highlight a broader picture. That's cool. I do it in meetings - follow a position to a logical extreme to make a point. I don't always believe my own hyperbole, and say so, but it can help frame a discussion.

But to the why? I haven't a clue. There's something to be garnered in the fact that disaster - personal and public - mayhem, crime and sundry 'end is near' reports are news. And water cooler, coffee shop, local bar, internet talk.

This I've found to work for me, on a small personal scale. Once, self employed, I ran across a successful small businessman who told me repeatedly - "Don't assume the worst and blame people, expect the best. Don't make people wrong, let them make themselves right. If they don't, move on. It's cleaner that way."