Solitaire
Created | Updated Apr 22, 2002
Solitaire is, on first sight, a comparatively simple game involving paper cards; the object of the game being to sequence the cards in a certain order. Once you have done this, you do it again. And again. There is no apparent reason for any of this; it does not appear to confer any biological or reproductive advantage. However, it is a widespread social phenomenon; so much so that it appears to be the primary function of laptop computers; to enable people to play solitaire while on public transport. It is apparently felt to be more satisfying to win a game of solitaire on a laptop than it is using paper cards, as is obvious to any passing empath - the person engaged in the game will emit a high level of smugness at all other people within a close range. Precisely why this is is also unclear. However, it doesn't involve death or destruction, and is thus less of a social nuisance than, say, nuclear war.
