The struggle of any society—but especially that of a society that calls itself a democracy—is to honor the existence of the one not like ourselves. Now, much like in ancient Athens, our own democracy is teetering: a moment when so many of us have become unreal to one another.

Sad that this even had to be written. I think we have to look hard at the internet, exponentially empowering crackpots to organize and petrify their opinions into deeply-held belief. I don't know how to fix it, but it needs to be addressed. Go to Youtube, look up "Illuminati", and get ready to leave all reason behind. Some people have constructed such intricate conspiracies that even television show set details are indications of corruption.