I've copied this from another site but it sums up quite a lot.
I listened to a Scottish Professor of Psychology being interviewed on BBC radio last night. To paraphrase…
Interviewer: “Clearly professor, these rioters have a common purpose, a common goal. They want to let society know of their frustrations and that they are driven by a strong desire and common purpose. Can you explain how their minds are working and what exactly they are seeking”
Professor: “ I think that what they are seeking is the acquisition of a large-screen, high definition television set, hopefully with 3-D capability.
Interviewer: “Er, pardon,”
Professor: “Lets’s face it; they’re not targeting bastions of capitalism; I mean, they’re not throwing paint and bricks at banks. What they are doing is smashing they way into Dixons & Currys and walking off with television sets and I-phones.
Interviewer: But the common motive behind the rioting…the true cause is?
Professor: “Like I said, they want to steal a television set.
Interviewer: “ Er, thanks, Professor.