New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg recently pointed out that 2020 started off like 1974 (an impeachment crisis), quickly became 1918 (a pandemic), turned into 1929 (an economic crash), and then became 1968 (massive urban unrest). Any country that endured so much in so short a time would lose its way. But over the last month, despite the increasing political polarization and strife, America has made some real moral progress on issues of racial justice.

America’s political square has taken ill. A recent survey found that 91 percent of Americans believe we are divided over politics; another showed that 58 percent have little or no confidence that their fellow citizens can have a civil conversation with those holding different views. This has infected the way we discuss public affairs: 85 percent of Americans say that over the last several years, political debates have become less respectful; 76 percent say they’ve become less fact-based.

It can all seem so meaningless. Some random biological mutation sweeps across the globe, murdering thousands, lacerating families and pulverizing dreams.

Life and death can seem completely arbitrary. Religions and philosophies can seem like cruel jokes. The only thing that matters is survival. Without the inspiration of a higher meaning, selfishness takes over.

This mind-set is the temptation of the hour — but of course it’s wrong. We’ll look back on this as one of the most meaningful periods of our lives.

Turn on the TV these days and you are bound to catch one of the Cuomo brothers inveighing against the “selfish.” Chris Cuomo on CNN harangues any one who dares suggest that America restart its economy, while Andrew Cuomo delivers lectures on the importance of staying home lest one expose the elderly to illness. Both brothers have inherited their father’s penchant for high and moralistic rhetoric. They have also inherited his incoherent moral philosophy.

There is no doubt that America has become more divided, less cohesive, and a lot less civil over the last few decades.

It’s a phenomenon that commentators on both sides of the political spectrum have noticed and reflected on for years.

Conservatives often point to the proliferation of liberal indoctrination in academia or an increasingly ideological and activist news media. Those on the left, meanwhile, are apt to lay the blame on President Trump, the personification of all of their fears and anxieties.

Notre-Dame and Sri Lanka — why such a disparity in our reactions?

President Trump’s actions didn’t meet the special counsel’s standard for criminal charges. That’s left Democrats wrestling with whether to pursue the unethical behavior in the report or let voters decide.

The Mueller report is bringing questions of ethics and morality in government once again to the forefront of a vigorous public debate.

Those in what was once a disreputable profession have come to be worshiped by the public at large.

Have you ever argued with someone who seemed to have a comeback for everything you said? Your fact-based arguments didn’t convince them. Neither did the fact what you were saying is common sense. Actually, it just seems like they’re grasping for whatever argument will stand against what you say. This happens because people will go to great lengths to qualify their worldviews, regardless of whether or not it’s true. And a new study now finds that when facts don’t support these views, these people will tread into territory we can’t prove wrong.