title: Is it possible to avoid overhead while using boost_any?
body: <p>I'd like to use <code>boost::any</code> as a universal type to store in a container and to pass to different functions. But inside these functions I always know the real type, so in runtime I don't need any type safety checks and the imposed overhead, <code>static_cast</code> is enough.</p>
  
  <p>The ideal solution would be to use something like <code>boost::polymorphic_downcast</code>, but as I can see it can't be applied in this case.</p>
  
  <p>Should I just write my own wrapper for <code>void*</code> or is there another option?</p>