There are so many things to unpack and discuss with how you framed this. Probably too much for a reply. ;)

Having dinosaurs in charge of everything is ridiculous as you mention. If they actually were in charge, the wisdom they would have gained through decades of experience would have diminishing returns with declining mental acumen and red vs blue bias. Truth is they are mostly just talking heads and cheerleaders looking out for their own financial advance. I can’t imagine having Trump or Biden as my only 2 choices and the supposed cream of the crop!

2023 does feel different though and I am trying to figure how much of that is true, and how much of that is you and I projecting our own perspective. We are drowning in information and over informed to the point where it simply has to feel different. What we do with that to balance risk on one hand and reach back to the magic of youth during the holidays on the other is a struggle. I like to put down the weight of the world regularly during these times and choose happiness as a gift to myself and others during the holidays.

I hope yours is setting up to be a wonderful one lined with gold but the radiant warmth of coal embers.