The new normal

Dr Johnson — Image credits to Encyclopedia Britannica

Yesterday, I visited the National Portrait Gallery in London. I am one of those Londoners who don’t make use of the fact that they are Londoners. Which is to say, I rarely visit places like the NPG or the British Museum. But my wife makes me do those things; she thinks I am a bore, so I make an effort. (And every time, I am eventually glad I did it.)

On the third floor of NPG, there’s a portrait of Samuel Johnson. Otherwise known as Dr…