54. Crystal Pepsi

A common theme in the history of humanity is The Poor Decision.

At least once, every individual, society, country and clique is victimized by a paltry and ungoverned choice.

For Twentieth Century North America, this choice was Crystal Pepsi.

Plain and lethargic, Crystal Pepsi won the hearts of the simpleminded. With its lack of caffeine, taste and character, it was a safe choice, adhering to the convention of cola, but not rocking the boat too much.

For some, original Pepsi was too much to handle. It was stimulating, controversial (especially among dentists) and unorthodox. It was a grand beverage, delivering both taste and punch. Consequently, some genius at Pepsi decided to dilute it with water, strip it of its narcotic value and remove the caramel colouring that delightfully stained enamel. It was then re-named after a trite solid that gleams uselessly in Grandma’s dining room cabinet.

Great idea. Luckily it failed. But The Poor Decision is still circulating in society and we must be vigilant–lest it appears again.