In "The Revolving Door of Life," author Alexander McCall Smith presents a thought-provoking dialogue about the state of modern society. The exchange between Angus and Lou reflects concerns about a potential descent into a new Dark Age, characterized by diminished focus and attention spans. This stark comparison illustrates how contemporary distractions might be leading us away from deeper thinking and engagement with the world.

The reference to a "concentration spell" being notably short serves as a metaphor for the struggles individuals face in maintaining attention amid various modern stimuli. The banter between the characters hints at a deeper existential worry about what this shift means for our cultural and intellectual life, questioning whether society is on the brink of a decline reminiscent of historical dark periods.