Where were we, where are we, where are we going, and who cares?

The author writes: Here we go! It is customary at great meetings of our profession to invite in selected demigods to address the ‘state of the profession.’ It is also customary on such occasions to invite the greatest single outlier in said profession. This is to demonstrate openness of mind and also to provide some comic relief from all of the heavies invited. I must thank Saul Gass for inviting me to address this distinguished group. I want it on the record that Saul asked me to be provocative. I assure you that he will get his wish.