THE END OF CIVIL DISCOURSE

As Herschell Ostrepeller was heading to the the studios of LALAX California’s leading radio station, he was excited. His book tour for ‘’E-Gaming, the Future of Entertainment, the Future of Life’’ was being downloaded at a rate he couldn’t believe. The book was in all the Barnes & Noble stores and he was getting calls about doing Zoom interviews with overseas media. They were particularly interested in talking with him about E-sports in Japan. It was heady and exciting stuff.

At the station, Herschell was ushered into a beautiful studio. He was reassured by the person taking him in that it was sanitized after every guest and social distancing was practiced. He could take his mask off as the ventilation system had been reworked to make sure the virus couldn’t circulate. Herschell was still on the neurotic side, so he asked if he could do the interview with his mask on. The person who led him into the studio didn’t answer at first and finally she said ‘’You have to discuss that with Jerry.’’

Jerry Hanes was a tall, beefy man with a beard that looked liked he had spent months in the outdoors in a remote cabin in the mountains. When he walked in he was imposing. Herschell was glad he was there for a light entertainment interview, he wouldn’t want to get in an argument with Man Mountain Jerry.

Hanes sat down at the microphone in front of him and looked over at Herschell. ‘’You can take your mask off man, it is super safe in here. I can guarantee you won’t catch any kind of diseases or Covid-19, just don’t lick anything.’’

Herschell wanted to tell Jerry he didn’t feel comfortable taking off his mask, no matter the assurances, but he did. ‘’There man, you can breathe, feel better?’’ Herschell half nodded. ‘’Okay, we are going live in five, four, three, two, I have a guy here named Herschell. It would make sense he’s a gamer with a name like that. I’m just going to call you Hershey like the bar. So what’s your deal Hershey? You think E-Gaming is the coolest thing ever right? I think it is a disconnect for people from society, I think it is juvenile and escapist. I think it’s going to lead to obesity and kids not wanting to play outside. I think it is a big gimmick for companies to take advantage of kids to make big money. I find it fascinating that people like you are creating a false narrative. What’s the…