I love this techdirt article:
People often point out just how litigious American society has become, with people trying to sue just about anyone over anything that upsets them. Apparently, this is beginning to filter down to children as well.
A 14-year-old girl has decided to sue her friend, after the friend screwed up in returning the iPod she had borrowed. Rather than handing the iPod back to Shannon Derrik, Stephanie Eick apparently placed the iPod on her friend's school desk, where some other thief in their class pocketed the device.
Rather than working it out between themselves (or hunting down the thief), Shannon went to court. As you might expect when two teens go to court, it certainly sounds like much of this is being driven by the parents, while most everyone else wonders why the two families couldn't figure out a more reasonable way to settle the dispute.
Among the points of disagreement are that Stephanie's parents want to buy a refurbished iPod, while the lost iPod was still pretty new. Also, Shannon had about $45 worth of iTunes songs on the iPod, which she claims she can no longer listen to. Instead (gasp!) she's forced to listen to the radio. Correct me if I'm wrong, but songs you buy on iTunes should also be available on your computer — but perhaps that's nitpicking.
As for the two girls, they are no longer friends, but: "If I had to work with her for a project, I think I could do it," Stephanie said. "I know we're probably not going to be good friends again, but I don't hate her or anything."
The comments on that article start off with the inevitable comments about the increasing insanity of North American society — which I agree with, incidentally — but quickly devolve into bible-bashing (not that I'm religious at all), religious defense and (gasp) older folk suggesting children should not be allowed to take iPods to school because they're there to learn. Not that there are breaktimes or long travel times at all.
I'm slowly losing hope for the world. No wait, actually just the world on the other side of the pond. points
