Who knew a glorified coffee shop could inspire such passion, grief and loathing? This article has inspired 260 some odd posts and counting as of my writing! I've read none of them, but it isn't hard to discern the emotion, judging by the subject title.

Which leads to the obvious question: why?

Why this outpouring? I haven't seen this sort of intensity since I witnessed church fights about homosexuality, gay marriage, abortion -- the politics of the body. Moneybox has never been so popular!

Something deeper is going on here. The breadth and depth suggests an emotional process that transcends the mere fact that a chain which sells exotic, expensive coffee-based drinks and oversized desserts is pulling in its horns a bit.

Could it be that the excessive expressions of grief and the equally excessive expressions of vehemence signify certain understandings about the world that are now being challenged.

Clearly, there's some socio-economic class issues going on here. My first job was washing floors and toilets at a Dunkin' Donuts a few blocks from my house, and all the Dunkin' Donuts I've been in over the years had a working-class attitude, where guys and gals hung around gossiping, bemoaning the 'bosses', critiquing the local pro sports team, sharing a plain cup of coffee (with a shot of cream) and a smoke. Starbucks, however, aimed for the 'Bobos in Paradise,' the upscale strivers in the cities and burbs who were willing to plunk down several bucks for coffee that was syruped, foamed and confected. Starbucks became a place to meet someone for the first time after making an internet dating site connection. Starbucks afficiandos did seemingly important work on their laptops, read the NY Times and bitched about their nannies. Dunkin' Donuts had waitresses; Starbucks has baristas.

Ultimately, the difference is less about the coffee than it is the cachet. Caffeine is caffeine, after all. But Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks convey radically different worldviews. The former values those who work with their hands or labor anonymously in cubicles; the latter, the knowledge workers and managers in charge. And now, it seems, the 'stars' of our meritocracy are getting their comeuppance.

Driving a three-ton behemoth a few miles to indulge in a cup of coffee and status affirmation no longer seems so wise and fruitful with gas at $4/gallon. It now seems frvilous. But the craving for staus remains.

Paradise has been lost. And we're all getting booted out of the garden we all have imagined as our rightful home since the 20's. The era of cheap fossil fuels upon which our fantasies have been based is ending with astounding rapidity.

No wonder there's so much wailing and gnashing of teeth. It feels like... Hell.