Glenn Reynolds relays an ethical question – essentially, Is it ethical to use a merchant’s power supply to recharge your portable electronics when power is not otherwise readily available? Speaking as somebody who just went through a two-day power failure… it depends. Personally, I plugged in all my electronics to my car battery and kept them charged that way- but if I had found a McDonald’s with a plug, and I went in to buy something, I would have thought nothing of plugging in while I was there. In other words: I think that it’s OK if you’re, you know, a customer.
Also: in unusual circumstances… ask first.
Anyway, that’s my first thoughts on the matter.