Einstein reached enlightment when he formulated general relativity and its tensor description, I wouldn't compare that to prioritizing social finances.
That being said, am not thinking about the escalators specifically, but the generally strange prioritizing government officials tend to...
I see what you are saying, but then again: How long should it take for a handful of people to realize that overpass-escalators with LCD screens etc.. are not the #1 priority in a society such as the Iranian?
Prior to the match, the Korean coach said that the Iranian coach (who is Portugese) would be watching the World Cup from Portugal... I still think it would have been classy to shake hands