You can spend a lot of time thinking about civilization and whether it has a future, but defining it isn’t so straightforward.  Or is it? This definition works for me, particularly on a hot summer’s day in a piazza in Italy. Or anywhere.

Favourite flavours – deepest, darkest chocolate; strong mocha or coffee; mango nectar.  And you?

Save civilization – buy yourself an ice-cream.

‘What is civilization?’ asked Bridget.

‘Ices,’ said Roger, ‘and all that sort of thing.’ 

Source: Arthur Ransome, Secret Water (London: Vintage, 2014 (1939)), p. 372

Photo credit: Jared Sluyter at unsplash – I love this image so much, I also use it here.