ABSTRACT
AT THE END OF THE MILLENNIUM, The Simpsons-as always-tapped the pulse of the American nation like no other cultural production. In December 2000 Homer finally discovered the joys of virtual reality, quickly becoming an investigative reporter on the Internet. Our intrepid breadwinner proceeded to uncover a vast conspiracy behind the flu vaccine. This finding put Homer in grave danger. The conspirators, using The Prisoner as their inspiration, took Homer to an island where they placed him under complete isolation, thereby preventing him from spreading The Truth. Yet his kidnappers ultimately did confess. Why, after all, are influenza shots given right before Christmas? Because…they contain a serum that heightens the impulse to shop.1
