I learned this in cultural anthropology in school. Wow, and I thought I would never need that stuff. Potlatch is a practice of some Indian tribes especially in the Pacific Northwest. Once a year they have a huge bonfire. Everyone in the tribe gathers and throws in the the most beautiful, valuable and treasured belongings they have amassed during the past year. The one who burns the most/best stuff wins. This idea was developed and refined by the Bavarian Motor Works, and promoted successfully, especially on the Upper West Side N.Y. It is STILL practised by the Yuppie Tribe there.

Allan