It's not just in Hollywood that women run the risk of being passed by once they reach 50. It happens in real life, too.

There are signs that the age of petroleum has passed its zenith. Adjusted for inflation, a barrel of crude oil now sells for three times its long-run average. The large western oil companies, which cartellised the industry for much of the 20th century, are now selling more oil than they find, and are thus in the throes of liquidation.

Reason is a crutch for age, but youth is strong enough to walk alone.