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The cult of the past may have developed as an antidote to the cult of the future, as a protection against future shock. Ts there such a thing as "past shock," and is America beginning to suffer from it? Perhaps. Yet the fantasy of homesickness, which is the meaning of today's nostalgia craze, cannot be dispelled with churlish facts and disagreeable reasons. If it gives a little pleasure in an otherwise unpleasurable year, why even try? So play it again, Sam —and again and again and again. Next year, with a little luck, we may not need you.