A peek into a parallel universe

Poor Al Gore. He has to live the rest of his life with the knowledge that he lost the US presidency to someone he clearly regards as a moron.

Now comes the publication of a book with a cover that shows him celebrating his re-election, arms aloft in front of a banner reading ‘‘Victory 2004’’.You’d think the man had suffered enough.

President Gore is, of course, a prime example of what, in academic ...