“In a drastic attempt to protect their beachfront homes, residents in Salisbury, Massachusetts, invested $500,000 in a sand dune to defend against encroaching tides. After being completed last week, the barrier made from 14,000 tons of sand lasted just 72 hours before it was completely washed away”
@pvonhellermannn One is reminded of the premise of Robert Louis Stevenson's short story "The Bottle Imp":
"The protagonist buys a bottle with an imp inside that grants wishes. However, the bottle is cursed; if the holder dies bearing it, his or her soul is forfeit to hell. ... The bottle must be sold, for cash, at a loss."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bottle_Imp
The story is the inspiration for a solid card game by the same name:
