How It Went Down

[Michael Brown]

When it was on top, there was nothing like it. They said it was one of a kind; never to be duplicated—had never been seen before (in quite the same way), nor was it likely to happen again in our lifetime, and there were no allowances made for adaptation, nor parody. It was an original, but like anything hot, it sizzled briefly, then sputtered for much longer than it deserved; earned, that is. It flopped around for a while as might a large fish out of water, or even Mexican jumping beans, which as you may know actually contain moth larvae, causing some to think, perhaps, it was about to morph into something bigger and better. Alas, no, it was in fact in its death throes. It went down badly, very badly, indeed.

[Toby Tucker Hecht]

In the field I am in (cancer research) many ideas are just what you described: heralded as out-of-the-box break throughs that then must stand the test of experimentation, when they meet reality head on and either can't be proven with current models and technology or fail dismally in clinical trials.  "How it Went Down" is a perfect description.

 

[Jamie Hogan]

I know I'm a broken record about this,  but I love reading stuff that prompts me to think but lets me make up my own mind. And I love reading Michael Brown, who is averaging one post per month these days. Criminal. Post more of your great writing, please sir, and more often.

[bolton carley]

oh, michael, i'm cracking up.  only you would have a kafkaesque mood! :)

[Michael Brown]

Thank you all. This was meant to be vague enough to be seen as applying to many different things. I'm in my Kafkaesque mood again. I only wish I had a fraction of his insight (without the mental torment, of course).

@Toby, I didn't erase any comments, and don't think I'd ever have cause to erase one of yours. Controversial or not, would you post again? I value your judgment.

[Toby Tucker Hecht]

Michael:  Did you erase my comment?  It wasn't even controversial!

[Bill Floyd]

Whatever it is, you've got it pegged.  This could be like a personality test, to see what comes to readers' minds...  (If so, I am a sick, sick person. :-)) 

[Diana E. Backhouse]

Hm! Let me guess. Well? Hello, Michael.

[Angela]

So many examples would come to mind, if I hadn't forgotten them all.  Great six.  Loved your use of larvae to illustrate a possible bigger and better that never happens.

[Gita]

Given the American attention span, and given the hype for the latest Big Thing, this could apply to -- wow, what was that shiny object that just -- sorry what was I saying?

[bolton carley]

moth larvae...only you could use it in a 6. :)  and now i'm wondering what went down with all the options maybe even a relationship that sizzled and died. mm...