Well all true, all true, and if I were to write a book on the subject of modern Britain it would certainly all have to feature on its pages.

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Letter: Europe's stereotypes need rethinking

Oxford came top for English language and literature, philosophy, modern languages and geography in the QS World University Rankings by subject.

BBC: Oxbridge rated best in world for seven key subjects

The good life means a series of economic, social, and cultural rights which in modern countries have always been the goal of specific government policies subject to permanent scrutiny.

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Mr Franzia's firm, the Bronco Wine Company, brings California's excess grapes to its plant in Napa Valley from all over the state. (The firm's use of the Napa name on its labels is, as a result, currently the subject of a lawsuit.) Bronco owns an efficient modern plant and has its own distribution network, so it can deliver wine directly to Trader Joe's warehouses, which keeps costs down.

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One of the great characteristics of our age, one that no doubt will be a subject of amusement to future generations, is our post-modern desire to show the guts of everything.

FORBES: The Unhidden Machine

Approximately 1, 100 such units at more than 450 existing power plants emit 48 tons of mercury into the air each year, with 11 tons of that deposited on to U.S. soil and waters, says EPA. Those plants also release arsenic, lead and other heavy metals, all of which are considered hazardous and are therefore subject to clean air laws that require those facilities to use modern pollution controls.

FORBES: Coal Plants Belching Out Less Mercury

While on the subject of British contributions, we'd be remiss to exclude Heston Blumenthal's modern classic: his signature snail porridge, which appropriates breakfast's oaty staple.

WSJ: Snails Quicken Their Culinary Pace