As a political Independent, I read and listen to the full spectrum of information from left to right before deciding what to support, what not to support, and what to propose that differs from what is offered.

Something that has struck me is how the two sides have established two very different narratives, based on two distinct literary genres, which inform two very different worldviews.

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Republicans are to Democrats (including Progressives/Liberals/Socialists) as Tragedy is to Disaster.

Some may think that Tragedy and Disaster are synonymous. This is an error. The two are quite different, and equalizing their meanings is sloppy and misleading.

The word disaster originates from the Latin-rooted term that literally means “ill-starred” or “bad star.” It entered English via the Middle French désastre and Old Italian disastro. The term combines the Latin prefix dis- (meaning “bad” or “ill”) with astrum (“star”), which itself derives from the Ancient Greek ástron (ἄστρον), meaning “star.”

This etymology reflects an ancient astrological belief that catastrophic events were caused by unfavorable positions of stars or planets, dictating unfortunate fate or misfortune. Historically, “disaster” did not denote the catastrophic event itself but rather the astrological influence believed to bring about such events.

Over time, the focus shifted from the supposed celestial cause to the actual calamity—the harmful event that affects lives, property, and societies. In summary, “disaster” etymologically means an ill-omened or “bad star,” symbolizing the belief that fate or destiny, influenced by the heavens, brought forth misfortune or calamity.

The word tragedy derives from the Ancient Greek term τραγῳδία (tragōidía)—literally meaning “goat song.” It is a compound of τράγος (trágos), meaning “male goat,” and ᾠδή (ōidḗ), meaning “song” or “ode.” Tragedy refers to ritual performances in ancient Athens where choruses dressed in goat skins performed songs honoring the god Dionysus. Early tragedy was a choral form connected with religious festivals and sacrificial rites, a communal and ritualistic expression of human experience and fate.

The evolution of the word tragedy from its original etymological meaning to its current literary sense as a serious, somber dramatic work centered on the downfall of a central character........

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