Each betrayal begins with trust.
I've won every debate I've had with an atheist, and never converted even a single one.
One way to prevent conversation from being boring is to say the wrong thing.
My job is writing. I get paid to do it. When was the last time you heard someone challenge a doctor for making money off of cancer?
This is actually a very important principle that science is learning about large systems like evolution and that futurists are learning about anticipating human society: just because a future scenario is plausible doesn't mean we can get there from here.
But for what purpose was the earth formed?" asked Candide. "To drive us mad," replied Martin.
To portray America over the past twenty years or so, I would think immediately of football, probably the Super Bowl in its sumptuous suggestion of a national death wish.