"In other words, we’re always falling short, no matter what our resources, and we pass this discontent to our offspring. And so millions of aspiring 3-year-old princesses hum “Someday my prince will come!” to themselves, turning their backs on the sweetness of the day at hand.
…
While “Mad Men’s” detractors often decry the empty sheen of it all, claiming that it has no soul, clearly that’s the point. The American dream itself is a carefully packaged, soulless affair."

Heather Havrilesky, one of my favorite TV writers, in her review of Mad Men’s season opener. The opening is a wonderful meditation on the day-to-day and how its beauty and importance are devalued by our culture. The whole piece is great.