The Advanced Generalist

Civility is often spoken of as a common ground of respect, courtesy, and restraint. But civility is not self-sustaining. It is not a rule written in stone. Civility is a fragile byproduct of a deeper connection to one another through healthy communication. Without it, civility loses its foundation and becomes a matter of interpretation. When communication breaks down, civility becomes a weapon of subjugation instead of a bridge to a brighter future. And in a world where mistrust, propaganda, and division often dominate our public square, the consequences are devastating. Healthy communication is about clarity, context, listening and understanding, yet today we are often drowning in noise. In the United States, governmental communication has often shifted into a constant performance of shock and dominance—tweets, soundbites, and viral moments designed to provoke rather than to unite. In such an environment, civility no longer means honest debate; it means controlling the narrative. Civi...

As I write, children in Gaza are being systematically starved to death. This is starvation used as a measure of war. Some children are so malnourished they don’t have the strength to speak or even cry out in agony. They are there — emaciated, wasting away. Without proper medical supplies, adequate food, and clean water, malnourished children will die. A few miles away, life-saving supplies are parked and blocked from entering Gaza. This man-made famine could be ended tonight; yet reports describe escalating attacks throughout Gaza and the West Bank. A healthy child wishes for simple things: time with friends at school, quality moments with family, and a shared meal. But at a recent United Nations meeting, interviews conducted by non-governmental organizations revealed something far darker: an increasing number of children in Gaza say they wish they were dead. These children yearn to be reunited with loved ones who have been murdered; some have been quoted as saying, “At least in heaven...