I read The Handmaid's Tale and couldn't put it down. It really does feel like we are on a precipice, in danger of falling over a cliff. When I look at your list of accomplishments, I feel so proud of humankind! But when I consider the loss of those things by bringing "strongmen" to power, I feel despairing.

I hope like you say that we can come together and stand up for what's right. That's the point of Fourth Wave, actually: to rally the forces. We are strong and we can make more change and protect the gains we've made.

Here's something I imagine. Say there's a cherry pie and a party full of children. Do you take one child secretly into the kitchen and give him half the pie, or more, and then let the others split the rest? Or do you share whatever you have with everyone present?

I think of NAFTA that way. Is it right for people in the US to have good paying jobs and big houses and people in other countries to live in shacks? Or should we globalize the economy so everyone has enough food and a reasonable dwelling?

I'm the first to admit I don't get the intricacies of the policy, but in broad terms that's the way I look at it. It's sharing the wealth. And yes, that means that the standard of living will go down in wealthy countries. But we have more than enough. I'd rather live in a fair, just, and peaceful world than a luxury mansion in a gated community. Am I right?