Losing touch with reality and, in particular, historical reality is a phenomenon which is part of the natural world. Human beings are temporary. We do not last long compared to bowhead whales, for example. Our young need educating and that education is important to sustain our history and to pass on the wisdoms of the past. Language, books and computers sustain that process of learning. Some societies can be short-lived, some overtaken and subsumed into others. We are, however, all members of one species, homo-sapiens. We have certain intellectual and emotional characteristics - a need for territory to ensure the survival of our progeny and enough territory to provide food and shelter. We select leaders who we think can best fulfill those needs. As with our simian forebears, the male silverback translates to protection. Does our tribe need a large powerfully chested, aggressive male to protect its interests and defend its females and society or an older, more experienced but less physically imposing male? I suppose we are going to find this out in the next election. Do you want the old skinny wise one with the proven record or the old chest thumping silverback?