Merriam-Webster has simply chosen “polarisation” as its 2024 phrase of the yr. The venerable US dictionary defines this as “division into two sharply distinct opposites wherein the opinions, beliefs, or pursuits of a gaggle or society. . . turn out to be concentrated at opposing extremes.” They selected it with the state of American politics in thoughts. However the response to the gunning down of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, exhibits how stark, even murderous, the dearth of civility and belief has turn out to be.