Why Didn't I Think of That?

What is this Silly Bandz mania that has stricken?  Anyone between the ages of 3 and 83 is suddenly willing to fork over $4.95 of their own, or someone else's hard earned cash to wear some cheap animal or alphabet shaped rubber bands by the bagful, around their wrist.  Are you serious?  Or am I just "old?"  Is there something I'm missing here?  Or am I just annoyed because I still go to work each day while some clown is laughing his way to the bank for inventing a rubber band in the shape of a yellow kangaroo?  So what about paper clips in the shape of sea creatures or scented staples?  Hmmm...