Print article Liberals live in a world of hatred and fear. Hatred of white nationalism and systemic racism. Fear of climate change and Donald Trump supporters. This is artificial reasoning stimulated by “that idiot delusion of the exceptional Now that blocks good thinking,” as John Dos Passos said, and is promoted by people with clearly sinister intentions. Remember that we in the 21st century are the continuation of every generation that ever lived. Our ancestors were just like us. They faced similar problems. Ignoring or, worse, erasing their memory is absolute folly. As Aristotle said, “One thing alone not even God can do, to make undone whatever hath been done.” Two things are certain. The first is that life is hard. Recognizing that is the first step to make it easier. The second is that there are no magic solutions to our problems. We should take comfort and strength from the fact that we have never been, or will be, alone. According to Jay-Z, “They say a midget standing on a giant’s shoulders can see much further than the giant.”