Imagine a civilization in which an invalid becomes celebrated by all and sundry because he has invented a way to run without legs. Imagine furthermore that the invalid kills his girlfriend in an act of rage and that he ends up in court, where every single word he utters and tear he sheds is reported by the media. Imagine finally that the invalid gets indicted for unpremeditated murder, and that all the media report on the final decision of the court in the most minute of details. Now, how would you characterize such a civilization? An invalid civilization, right? This is the right answer, to be sure! No prize for guessing what will become of such a civilization. It will go by way of its hero. And fast.