In light of such controversy, critics posed the question: Is Kony 2012 a sign of how powerful social media can be as a news distribution mechanism, a sign of how dangerous it can be, or both?

FORBES: What Kony 2012 Can Teach Us About Ourselves

But the bear market of 2000-02 showed how dangerous it was to rely on stockmarkets alone.

ECONOMIST: The quixotic appeal of exotic assets

"We cannot stress strongly enough how dangerous it is to tamper with electricity substations, " he said.

BBC: Vandalised substation