The United States is in a bad mood. I was talking with a group of smart people recently who agreed that there’s a general sense of malaise these days. I’m not suggesting there isn’t good reason for it, but we’re taking inconsequential things and ourselves pretty seriously these days – maybe too seriously. People are looking for reasons to be crabby. Presenting to people means connecting with them, and connections can be nurtured by lightening the mood when you can.