SpaceCowgirl.net

So, I’m on Jury Duty for the first time this week. Like, sitting through the trial and the whole bit. It’s been interesting, to say the least, and I’ve learned a lot about how the jury system works. I’ve learned that courthouse cafeteria food sucks, that I’m so good at Sudoku it’s a little sad, and that all disaster movies were clearly inspired by this shared civic duty.

Note the similarities: A conveniently diverse group of strangers are forced into an unpleasant situation and must learn to work together and reach a solution for the betterment of our society. Some are outgoing and friendly, others are mysterious loners you don’t know if you can trust, and the most annoying ones are unceremoniously removed early on. Friendships may be developed, enemies may be made, but at the end everything is resolved and all parties go back to their normal lives as if nothing happened.

This is Lost. This is The Day After Tomorrow. Or any disaster movie, zombie movie, you name it. It’s also the essence of Jury Duty.

(P.S. – in case you were wondering, I’m the movie character that spends the entire time keeping to herself, playing games on her iPod… until the end when I surprise everyone and save the day?)