Devaluation

Now that the London Olympics are under way, giving television viewers the chance to view sports, like judo or archery, that they only care about every four years, we can brace ourselves for the inevitable editorials pointing out how the Olympic ideal has been debased by (choose one) nationalism, money, professional athletes, money, television, or money.
Okay, so the sports have been debased. But what about the medals?
This year’s Olympic gold medals aren’t gold . . . much. They’re 92.5% silver,...