An Age of Irony

Mankind has myths and legends about a Golden Age deteriorating somewhat into an Age of Silver, and that in its turn decreases into an Age of Bronze, an Age of Stone, etc.  (We may also go through Pewter and Tin and Nickel into the last Age of Gold-Foil-Covered-Chocolate-Coins-Which-Melt-In-The-Pocket-Of-Your-Good-Suit-At-Hanukkah.)

We live in an Age of Irony, which is the combination of Gold and some Baser Metal, mixed in the oft quoted proportion of 1% gold and 99% base metal.

Irony is surprising. We shall find our age to be surprising and inexplicable. Many of us already have.
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