When older people compare contemporary times with days gone by, they usually report that when it comes to child-rearing, general civility, education, popular music and patriotism, things were far better in the 40s and 50s. The areas in which modern times tend to win the day are life-saving pharmaceuticals, dentistry and surgical procedures.
One of the worst things about modern life, I think we’d all agree, is the four-hour window we have all come to accept. Whether it’s some form of ...