The recession is turning some desperate humans into animals.

In past, similar, circumstances, people have turned to extremes to support themselves and their families. People have tried everything from thieving to murder in order to stay safe and fed.

Even today, in a modernized, shifting world, there are millions literally destitute, and are, in some cases, viable for such normally unethical behavior.

Many Americans take their own situations for granted; even foreclosures and lost jobs are hardly devastating when put into perspective. Many, in comparison, are far worse off than those complaining about their financial problems.

On Feb. 24, a Floridian man proved how whiny and close-minded we Americans are, especially during difficult times.

The Starbucks customer went into a frenzy upon being told by a fellow customer that he could not borrow his laptop. No, not even to check his Facebook.

As an avid Facebook user myself, I can sympathize with the man; the website is, indeed, addictive. I’ve had the displeasure of being deprived of Facebook access for days (weeks, in Facebook time) and I can still recall that crazed feeling of being left out of flairs and statuses.

I can say with almost certainty, however, that I would never lower myself to this man’s standards.

Enraged and most likely going through Facebook withdrawal, the man snatched the other customer’s laptop and burst outside before being tackled by witnesses; he was held in the parking lot until police took him into custody (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29366043).  

I’ve met some people who could easily fit into the category of “Facebook obsessed.” My mother, for instance, has a Facebook profile for perfectly normal, respectable reasons: reuiniting with high school friends, checking her kids’ pages, keeping in touch with family. Even she, however, is constantly changing her status and commenting on friends’ photos.

It is easy to see how even the most controlled Facebook users can fall off the bandwagon.

Perhaps it is the economic downfall that has thrown many into states of temporary insanity. Instead of pick pocketing however, people are taking advantage of the country’s technological capabilities, and resorting to petty, cowardly crimes.

In certain, desperate cases, thieving for money or food may indeed be a last resort for a destitute person. If Americans have become so spoiled, however, that they think not being able to check Facebook is a travesty, they should read up on their history.

Surely a quick American studies class could convince such delinquents that they are, in fact, much more well off than they give themselves credit for. Compared to his ancestors, who most likely toiled and starved to give him a hopeful future, this thief is an aristocrat.

To my knowledge, this man is the first of his laptop stealing, whiny kind. I can only hope he is the last.