The truth, however, is that change does come; it just comes more slowly than we'd like, and in ways that differ from those we imagined.

One real change I like to point out is the passing of blind trust in politicians. In the 1950s and '60s, most people spoke of politicians with respect and even with reverence. Now it's almost standard for people to agree that they're liars and thieves. That's a very significant change, even if it did take several decades to unfold.

I've tested this change, by the way, on taxi drivers worldwide; I've yet to find one that defended politicians to me.

So, a significant change has occurred in our time, and over a very broad base.

Still, most people are hanging on, and often desperately, to old ways that should really be abandoned.