I believe it's an epistemological crisis because most of the other, often incredibly important challenges, spring forth from our inability to determine what reality really is. How do we know what we know? What constitutes credible, verifiable evidence to support our perspective? If people, organizations, and countries can't agree on what the facts are, we will be unable to tackle a multitude of issues that impact human suffering and death, long-term impacts on the environment, global destruction, etc. Here are some examples of seriously incorrect and deluded thinking:

43% of Americans believe in demons, 41% in ghosts, 41% in UFOs and aliens, 27% in astrology, 21% in witchcraft, 7% believe earth MIGHT BE flat while 2 % believe earth IS flat! /One-third of American adults believe the 2020 election was stolen!

By and large, these are probably good and decent people. They may be in your neighborhood, social circle, or family. But their minds have been hijacked by bad ideas. Given the enormous role played by social media and its algorithms, media outlets that cater to our politics, the loss of faith in institutions as sources of reliable and accurate information, and our own cognitive biases which deter us from seeking out contrary views, I find it difficult to be hopeful. 

And now I shall crank up DB's brilliant "Nothing's Gonna Bring Me Down", an almost 4 minute oasis of inspiration! Thanks, David!

Peter T.