Lavin speaker Virginia Heffernan says culture is fascinating because it doesn’t move in a straight line. No moment is ever entirely of itself—we are constantly imagining a new future while recapitulating and rediscovering elements of the past. This is also a good explanation of why, for instance, our culture is currently obsessed with mid-Century Mad Men “stuff.” Filmed at The Lavin Agency offices in New York City, Fall 2011.