These days, there is no bigger threat to the value of the material turned out by commentary, as well as comedy, writers than that of instant obsolescence. There is a very real possibility that the subject matter will no longer be relevant by the time it is viewed by readers.

While this is something that has always been a bit of an occupational hazard for opinion page contributors, the ease with which events can overtake one’s best efforts has become acutely problematic for pundits ever since…