Here we go again, roundabout the 25th anniversary of writing this column. We first appeared in River North News, then Spotlight Chicago, then Adams Wells Weekly, then Chicago Loop News and...probably another incarnation or two.

Virginia Woolf wrote that the "royals" live lives inordinately large which is the key to our fascination with them. Judging from the reception of The King's Speech this still holds true (very good film but ghastly cinematography) never more so than in 2011 when outside of the occasional revolution life is inordinately dull, uniform and monotonous. I am glad I lived my youth in the era of big dreams and large thoughts and possibilities, which though they may have come to fruition were delightful to have possessed.

If you have not read G.Bradshaw's book Elephants on the Edge do so. Symposia has always known homo sapiens are a menace to the earth. Anyway, this book is far more important than any of the goofy, innane Gladwell books on the NYTimes best seller list.

Over one-third of births in the USA are dangerous Caesareans, especially in the poorest southern states. Charges for these deliveries are double the cost of normal births. Oh the eloquence of facts! En tout cas -- this assumption people are sick to begin with and not healthy galls us Darwinians.

Sir Nicholas Winterton on the common man, "They are a totally different type of people." Noisy children (nothing worse), an unacceptable level of commotion and racket. Why are class differences so profound, still, here as well as in GB? Your school still determines your future.