I am in complete agreement with the question at the heart of your concern -- how do we create that kind of passion, and even anger (at the extremes, for what they have done to our nation-state) -- so that we can create a political movement to rival the extremists? I also like your point about the centrist/moderate temperament: Perhaps THE centrist-moderate problem, is that there seems to be an inherent deeply structured obstacle (the cultural contradictions of moderation?): The very simplistic and single-minded zealotry that gives movements passion and force, and the very life-altering meaningfulness of the totalizing cult-like worldview that provides the identity to propel that passion, are precisely what centrism and moderation stand against. . . . And yet, in reading the reactions to this article, I see some yearning for that passion, for a movement, to rival the extremists. At least one person practically begged Prof. McWhorter to lead us to the mountain top -- suggesting we need an inspiring and eloquent leader. I agree with that person. But we also need organization. We need resources. Words are important, and you are right we need to frame our claims in a way that inspires. But we have a lot of words. I enjoy and support "Persuasion" but Persuasion (as the name implies) is mostly words, and words are only one part of a solution. Ultimately, some sort of action is required. Organization, resources, and leadership. We need a social movement.