There is a growing bigness afoot. Even as processors for computers have grown smaller and our capacity to store vast troves of information has increased, to the extent that whole libraries can fit on the head of a pin, enlargement is all around.

Cars now are taller, wider and just more massive, resembling at times military or farming vehicles. From my little Hyundai Getz, the view is constantly obscured by these barrel-butted behemoths. Parking spaces are filled entirely by these beasts, nominally known as SUV's. Alas, they are not sporty (more bulky, as if they take steroids with the petrol) and I would seriously question their utility, which is practically the same as any old sedan.

Meal sizes have been up for some time largely due to the explosion of fast and convenience foods. Visit any shopping plaza food court and you are in the midst of oversized and overpackaged choice, though that choice is often between a jaw-dropping plate of fish and chips, or a combination burger/chicken/add food group meal with upsizing options. As shoppers pass by with their tottering trays of food items, I feel like leaning across and snatching the odd fry, if only to save them from themselves.

Finally, people are bigger. Taller, weightier, bigger-seated, amply-proportioned, spread-out- many now have access to the kinds of calories that once only graced the tables of the wealthy and the high born. But all can share in the modern feast and have change from $10. Wither it is all leading, I know not.

ps. Oh yes, mobile phones, which for a time were shrinking, have joined the super-size revolution.