Here's the redacted, wacked-out lede from an early version of what became my controversial little essay on Apple and the advisability of arrangements with other companies:
Every 47 months or so, Near-Earth Object 4179, a.k.a. Asteroid Toutatis, goes whizzing past the earth at alarmingly close range. Next September, the closely-watched three-mile-long hunk of stone will come within four moon-orbits of the earth before heading back toward Jupiter. Toutatis is unique among the set of space rocks classified as Potentially Hazardous Asteroids by NASA in that it is peanut-shaped and, rather than spinning on a standard axis, tumbles awkwardly around the solar system like a hurled bone.
With roughly the same regularity, Apple Computer comes to market with a product that alters the trajectory of the technology business and makes observers rub their eyes in amazement...
Ah yes - cue Also Sprach Zarathustra, then fade to Steve Jobs holding an iPod aloft!
