People say that we live in more polarized times than “ever before.” I doubt that. The political view fracturing in the US is hardly unique in US history – there was a War of Independence and then a Civil War, after all. There are conflicts and tensions around the world, just as in every time in history. I agree with my friend who fears what kind of external threat would be required before people could be unified. “Maybe we would benefit from an alien invasion,” he points out.