The knob on the toaster is connected via a tiny satellite to a neighbourhood base station usually hidden in a nearby powerbox. An average neighbourhood setting is computed and then sent via cable to the state headquarters of the electricity department. In a back shed within the property, and well protected by discreet security, large Cray computers calculate the state average toaster setting, along with standard deviation. The computer then correlates this with similar computer systems in other states and compares these results to the local weather patterns both short term and long term, taking into account pollution levels, El Nino, and other unseasonal variations. This allows the company to increase the temperature dial only slightly, which forces consumers to use more electricity (more money!), but without being obvious to the uninformed householder.
The state computers then send the adjusted results back to the local neighbourhood base station where it sends out signals to each toaster within range to increase it's temperature by 23% of the adjusted state deviation, which it does by activating a tiny motor within the toaster.
It is a fact that in the early hours of the morning, at about 3 am, less electricity is used by people than at any other time of the day. Because the tiny motors are not completely quiet, this is the time the toasters are turned on - when few people will notice. Because of the power being supplied to the toaster motor, power drain may be noticeable in other appliances such as lights.
REMEMBER:If you're up late at night and the lights flicker then check your toaster.
since May 21, 1998