Ugh, everyone has different life experiences. Not everyone can have an orgasm. Not everyone can have multiple. Just because you experience one thing, doesn't mean everyone does!

People need to learn to actually listen to each other and learn from one another.

Human nature.
We aren't always on our best behavior.
Some of us are more guilty of that kind of thing than others.
While part of me understands wanting to demand that people treat each other
better, the larger part of me knows better than to expect it.
I'm not condoning it, but perhaps I've just learned to let it roll.

I get where you are coming from, and I agree with one caveat: not all opinions are of equal value. Some are simply and demonstrably wrong. At 74, I tend to have trouble suffering fools. Which is not to say I cannot be wrong or learn something new.

When I have an opinion that differs from another poster, I try to preface my comment by "My feeling is..." or "In my experience..." or "It's my understanding..." trying to convey that I don't feel I have the ultimate answer, but am simply offering my comments.

That said, when people reply to my comment with an argument, I try to ignore it. Have felt like blocking some of the more belligerent arguers.

For the most part, I haven't seen all that much arguing. I try to assume the best of intentions (instead of the worst) in most people, and try to stay positive.

I have to admit to being a bit snarky myself once or twice, when it comes to misogynistic male posters... I freely admit I have no patience or respect for posters who do not value women as more than playthings. Pretty sure I'm not alone there.

Not to be confrontational lol, but I think once someone posts something on a social media site where the topic can be interpreted or debated by the public then they have no right to censor anyone's opinion. You have the right to not engage or have a discussion and to even block someone, but I don't like that option and I think it's just as disrespectful. I'm not saying you do it, but I have known people who will block others who put up a respectful debate but then block them because they don't want to engage or have no good rebuttal. I had a friend from as far back as college (almost 17 years ago) tell me she didn't care about my opinion and she wouldn't hesitate to block me (Facebook) yesterday even though I was nothing but respectful while I presented my view point on an issue. She said to another poster, who agreed with her, that why should she care about my opinion and that she didn't post anything to get anyone's opinion. So I just deleted her from my friends list. What good is having a friend who will shoot you down because of a viewpoint and act like you don't matter? Don't have anyone able to see your post if you are going to be like that. Maybe this was more of a rant for me lol

The problem I've faced is a lack of even trying to see another person's point of view. In civil disagreements this usually results in agreeing to disagree, then dropping it and moving on.

Sometimes it happens in a Private Message.

Sometimes even right on the board.

Sometimes there's a dumpster fire...

Lyrics?? Oh I'm hearing "The Gambler" in my head....

Wherever there's humans, there's occasional discord - just for the sake of it !

You do you, I do me and let's strive to do or cause no harm.

Sometimes belonging to specific groups for specific interests will elicit the "Thanks, I didn't know that" type of response. For an example (& I'm always looking for fresh content, as I'm just a curious layperson...&, as a "Shameless Plug" (tm)) try... [agnostic.com] ! &, while I'm at it may as well go for it... [agnostic.com] !!!

I have not actually seen this except once I was very angry at someone who was making a claim which was personally extremely hurtful, painful, cruel, and untrue, which pertained to me. I was not rude and "walked away" but it did make me see there are closed-minded people here.

However I find it an order of magnitude better than the comments sections at Kos, let alone what I see on Facebook!

For the most part I find people on here in to be respectful, but some can be very opinionated. I admit I've gotten into a few dust-ups, but nothing that escalated or couldn't be easily resolved. I think some people just like to provoke, or aren't aware that they come across that way. I just have to allow that it takes all kinds, and if someone is going to continue to be difficult I will try to avoid them.

well you have met humans right. I`ld say this site is better than most but still ........

That's because my posts are better than yours!

I've seen a couple discussions that went straight to personal attacks. Pretty much starts out as 'Tastes great or less filling' and someone goes straight to 'you're an idiot!' I share your frustration, but it's a huge forum. To compare it to that other social media platform, this one is like you've friended every member, so if your circle's too big shrink it a little. No harm, no foul.

I agree. There are plenty of argumentative know-it-alls on this site. It's possible to converse, or even debate on a topic politely.

My way around this.
My car has an AM radio if I want static I go turn it on.?

aretha said it, didn't she?

maybe we were all tapping our feet but not really listening.

i label my opinions as such, but i know some facts, too, and (sadly enough) a lot of folks don't know the difference. i've run into some conspiracy theorists, pugnacious political trolls and folks who think any time you disagree on ANYTHING (the taste of celery not excepted) you're attacking them personally. it's hard not to respond in kind when they get personal and nasty. that's when i use the block feature.

g

Thank you...some ofy posts have engendred exactly that. I don't quite understand it, but ok. I still love the site and what the hell, if people like to argue, that's ok with me because, at least here, there is a bit more probability of an intelligent discussion evolving from it.

Yeah I agree I'm here for Pleasant conversation I'm not trying to figure out the mysterys of the universe or change the world and I try to respect other people's opinions and feelings on this site I just enjoy interacting with other people and when people start jumping my butt over things that I said or want to try to argue me into their point of view I just use my block button

Guilty.

A very common human flaw that some take to the extreme and other's display little of.

Well, what do you expect when other people besides me think they are right?! Geez.

Totally Agree.

I treasure my time here sharing and boosting up Atheists out of the closets , seeking love with the happy Atheist for the next 50 years of my life.... I'm sorry if I've disappointed anyone or annoyed anyone with my forward militant Atheism and Peace Through GREEN JOBS politics....TrumpOLINI war enablers deserve our scorn....we all need to be lawful citizens of good will