h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 rule, or ABC analysis, is possibly one of the most common tools of business, because it means that really rich businesses only have to look out for really rich clients, and stuff everybody else. Most business analysts spend a lot of time trying to identify correctly that top 10% or 20% to focus on. It's used because it is undoubtedly true.

So next time you are on a flight and you are munching on damp peanuts and stale orange juice in scum class (economy class to the novices), you can console yourself by remembering that you are part of the great 80% of passengers that the airline really doesn't want but has to tolerate....