There comes a moment when constantly having to pick yourself up - fighting any urge to simply quit the effort - becomes exhaustive to the point of futility that makes it no longer worthwhile. Assuredly while this can apply to individuals practically on a routine basis, numerous civilizations as a whole have faced this existential crossroads during their existence throughout recorded history - with the United States no exception. From the Revolutionary War (1775-83) to the Civil War (1861-65), demoralizing losses, strategic miscalculations and outright treachery nearly extinguished the American experiment. Both conflicts bookended rapid and unprecedented coast-to-coast expansion across the continent, lending itself to the idea of a manifested destiny that nevertheless was not guaranteed to succeed.
Like clockwork, Americans yet again face the possibility of our imminent demise from innumerable manufactured, narrative-driven crises - that is, according to the perpetually online social media crowd. While everyone in the real world continues on with their daily lives unaware, these keyboard warriors of the digital space rage nonstop into the abyss to the equally dissociated virtual mob. Of course, it does not help matters when the subjects of their nonsensical tirades continually give them disruptive fodder to maintain this neverending grievance cycle. Unquestionably, and consequently, certain fearmongering individuals and their base indisputably benefit from this situation, especially by manipulating corporate mainstream media to portray their opinions as representing those of the majority.
Differences in ideology aside, this widening imbalance of perception is a truly dangerous and growing threat to democracy. "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes," is a quote often attributed to Mark Twain. This is a germane irony, since it is a false attribution with an unknown origin. Due to the proliferation of various online networking platforms, misinformation can be disseminated instantly around the entire globe nowadays before truth can even find its socks. Proper discourse is near impossible when it wreaks of vacuous hypocrisy alone, yet made even worse tainted by compulsive dishonesty. One has the choice to either shut out the noise by shutting off the distractions or drown in its overflowing minutiae of baseless absurdities.
For obvious reasons, dialogue between opposing sides can, and often will, be contentious given human nature, but it also must be constructive for unified advancement and understanding. Yet, faithful discussion cannot happen when the conversation devolves into absolutist, and most often unhinged, vitriol offering zero room for compromise in disagreements. Impulsive outrage has displaced composed rationalism, creating an environment of unrelenting hostility - feigned or otherwise - whenever anyone feels even slightly aggrieved by a differing worldview. In this acrimonious and divisive climate, we, the people, can either give up or persevere; we must chose the latter, at any cost, to honor sacrifices made by previous generations in ensuring our survival as an indivisible nation moving forward.
Like clockwork, Americans yet again face the possibility of our imminent demise from innumerable manufactured, narrative-driven crises - that is, according to the perpetually online social media crowd. While everyone in the real world continues on with their daily lives unaware, these keyboard warriors of the digital space rage nonstop into the abyss to the equally dissociated virtual mob. Of course, it does not help matters when the subjects of their nonsensical tirades continually give them disruptive fodder to maintain this neverending grievance cycle. Unquestionably, and consequently, certain fearmongering individuals and their base indisputably benefit from this situation, especially by manipulating corporate mainstream media to portray their opinions as representing those of the majority.
Differences in ideology aside, this widening imbalance of perception is a truly dangerous and growing threat to democracy. "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes," is a quote often attributed to Mark Twain. This is a germane irony, since it is a false attribution with an unknown origin. Due to the proliferation of various online networking platforms, misinformation can be disseminated instantly around the entire globe nowadays before truth can even find its socks. Proper discourse is near impossible when it wreaks of vacuous hypocrisy alone, yet made even worse tainted by compulsive dishonesty. One has the choice to either shut out the noise by shutting off the distractions or drown in its overflowing minutiae of baseless absurdities.
For obvious reasons, dialogue between opposing sides can, and often will, be contentious given human nature, but it also must be constructive for unified advancement and understanding. Yet, faithful discussion cannot happen when the conversation devolves into absolutist, and most often unhinged, vitriol offering zero room for compromise in disagreements. Impulsive outrage has displaced composed rationalism, creating an environment of unrelenting hostility - feigned or otherwise - whenever anyone feels even slightly aggrieved by a differing worldview. In this acrimonious and divisive climate, we, the people, can either give up or persevere; we must chose the latter, at any cost, to honor sacrifices made by previous generations in ensuring our survival as an indivisible nation moving forward.
©2026 Steve Sagarra
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