This whole event is at least in part indicative of the larger stream of thinking in society.
The necessary compromise associated with obtaining consumer-driven popularity = institutions getting in over their head on an ethical level = partially regretting the initial decision due to public sentiment = post-decision consideration that compromise is still necessary to "get ahead" over the other guy by choosing a value system scented in moral bankruptcy (which large portions of consumer culture appreciate and value) = either a complete refutation of the system by individuals on the periphery of the initial decision or alternatively, a collective return to the initial compromise set by the institution due to the overall gains made in regard to "ends" and not "means". If institutions return to the consumer-driven compromise, they've usually created a new method of publicly and ideologically accommodating the compromise. We often see this in history where forms of ethical conduct from previous generations are devalued and overturned wherein proponents of the new value system often recreate religious or social notions to make way for newly agreed upon "ends."
New generations rise up, thinking the compromise is anything but, taking in new values driven by purchasing things and not thinking beyond the message and realities associated with obtaining the things they desire.
If people or institutions decide to complete the cycle by returning to the initial system of ethical compromise, they - along with their supporters - find themselves less inclined to consider the notion of regret within the next movement. As a society, this collective erosion of previous ethics becomes more widespread until the values of a society have overwhelmingly shifted to a new location on the spectrum of what is considered socially proper.
Kansas is only upset because the post-decision gauge didn't conform to their lack of ethics. But Self also understands that if it lands them a commitment from Todd, Kansas fans will likely be quick to forgive the initial decision. Thus, consumerism triumphs over previous ethics and creates a new set of ethics ultimately dictated by ends and not means to ends.
![[laughing]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/classic/laugh.r191677.gif "Laughing [laughing]")
