Chris, thank you for reading the essay and providing such a thoughtful response.

I’m particularly happy to read you don’t feel the “panic” others do. I know sometimes I listen to the news and feel my heart race. For me, Harari’s message resonates because it allows my brain a little space from the flight or fight response. I think starting from a place of curiosity, rather than reacting from fear, offers more options towards a possible solution. Or if not a solution, more open-minded discussions that find connection points between two reasonable people. It’s hard to be reasonable when one is afraid. And I agree with you — playing on those fears is a low blow, no matter who does it.