TAKING THE LONG VIEW. It may be that epidemological aggressiveness will cut SARS off at the global pass. Maybe not. At least the illness won't spread as quickly as it would have if we were all clueless about and inattentive to fast-spreading disease.

But -- indulge me a moment. Doesn't it suck that we have to be so attentive to such things? I mean, it's the Twenty-First century, and we are obliged to cower before the spread of plague as if this were the 14th Century. Next thing you know we'll all be wearing plastic beaks stuffed with aromatherapeutics.

The world at war, unknown illness spreading, all areas of human endeavor at a creative low ebb. I'm beginning to feel a little ungrateful to have been born into this splendid age -- even considering that we have, like, iPods and mp3s and blogs.