Plastic knives and Alanis Morissette

I’ve flown first class exactly twice in the last five years. The first time was right after 9/11. At the time I was struck by how ludicrous it is that they provided metal forks and spoons, but plastic knives. The idea was that terrorists would take over the plane using metal table knives (perhaps in combination with the nail clippers they snuck past security). Yesterday I flew first class again (because Dubner complained so loudly to our publisher about the hardships of flying cross-country they told him he could fly first class, so they felt obligated to upgrade me too). Still plastic knives. Not that I care about metal vs plastic utensils, because I don’t at all. It is just such a classic example of how in the interest of looking like you are doing something, crazy rules get put into place, and then persist.

Dubner and I are taping the Tavis Smiley show today. Alanis Morissette is the other guest. Maybe I can get her to sign my new iPOD.