A time of psychological anxiety that some individuals experience during their middle years. It can affect both men and women. In men, it sometimes takes the form of buying an expensive sports car or other equipment that emphasizes their youthfulness or fantasizing about beautiful young girls. Women may go on crash diets or undergo plastic surgery to regain a more youthful appearance. When the author’s son-in-law turned fifty, his wife reported that his midlife crisis involved looking for a bigger and better house, an unrealistic choice since their children were already enrolled in local schools. The term has also been transferred to institutions, countries, almost anything. An article by Russell Garland had, “Venture capital is having a midlife crisis. . . . The venture community in Silicon Valley is showing signs of middle age, moving more slowly and cautiously than before. . . .” (Wall Street Journal blog, July 23, 2010).