The classical age was an era in Earth history known for having produced great works of literature. In 2000, Henry Janeway told Shannon O'Donnel that he felt he had been born in the wrong millennium. When he brought up great literature, she countered with "no antibiotics." This began a series of points and counterpoints contrasting the classical age with the modern age: "Families who'd take care of one another." "No cars." "Air you can breathe." "No telephones." "What a pleasure." "Shorter life spans." "Lives that were worth living."