Anne, who remains optimistic despite her many years on Capitol Hill, suggested some relatively small steps to build on what policymakers learned from CLASS. For instance, the Administration still has some modest funding available for a public information campaign to encourage consumers to think about their long-term care needs.

FORBES: What Happens After CLASS?

In that instance, television is a microplatform, a device class that would benefit by being opened to third-party development, but for which functionality must be closely tied to the content and the usage of the device as opposed to a broad and generic one like the tablet.

ENGADGET: Switched On: The next microplatform

The third class has items that have touched something first class--the "touched" nail described above, for instance.

FORBES: Holy Relics

For instance, the day before I spoke to his kids, the class did a debt simulation.

FORBES: Financial Education for Fifth Graders

It was the first, for instance, to have TV consoles at every seat, including those in economy class.

FORBES: PROSPERING THE LASTING WAY

Last week, for instance, El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. began handing out iPads to its business-class passengers, like OpenSkies.

WSJ: Some Airlines Lend iPads for In-Flight Entertainment Systems

You might argue, for instance, that in many countries rising incomes and structural economic change have created a new and larger middle class, weakening support for public services (which the middle class pays for) and undermining trade unions (which tend to be anti-liberal).

ECONOMIST: Economics focus