"People no longer understand how to hold a rational conversation. Social media users have become savvy at crafting short and snarky comments, but utter failures when it comes to listening to any voice that did not originate in their heads.
Instead, flags are raised and separate camps declared; traitors to the cause are unfriended and blocked; verbal incendiaries are lobbed from these guarded positions, while the level of hate continues to climb towards breaking point. The center won't hold under such conditions.
Listening to the other side requires wisdom, patience and in some cases admitting that you are wrong. Sadly and potentially tragically, few Americans are prepared to concede their mistakes, and that will only guarantee more wanton aggression and hate against innocents in the future."
@Robert_Bridge
And it seems that the disease has spread to some Agnostics.com members.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.
Hate in the heartland: America is stumbling towards disaster one virulent tweet at a time [rt.com]
2
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
4 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I have replied to your other posting of this
LenHazell53
Level 9
Jan 26, 2019
2
same here.
I have not experienced it personally but have seen some members attack others for their opinions.
I try to point out the importance of staying on topic, if you can not provide in put on the post don't say anything.
I think some just can't help themselves, they refuse to learn the rules to good conversation and debate and seem to enjoy attacking others for their opinions or ideas. Just my opinion.
silverotter11
Level 9
Jan 26, 2019
1
Sadly many will mind read or jump to easy conclusion decrying someone as a querelent. If you are not fully au fait with the situation or fully know the person and their reasoning you will probably dismiss the person as a trouble maker.
Equally if you do not form an opinion and make it known you are actually siding with the person(or...s) making the statement be it incorrect or not).
Yes, and it’s close to home.. Life has become so complex it’s impossible to cover all it’s bases. Some try, but doing so requires they drop time killing distractions like sports ..and nearly all of what was once considered ‘network tv.’
Others attempt to do it all … ending up a mile wide and an inch deep.. With less depth of understanding or experience, they generally fall for ..bullshit. Then they spread it 
But even their BS is thin. And, it’s from a one-sided agenda-driven source. They’ve the snarky rebuttals down, but that’s it. No depth, no experience, no institutional history.. Only the anger, hostility and aggression exhibited by those having delivered their snarking points.
With media sources having morphed into propaganda mills, playing on preexisting fears and suspicions, and sourced news labeled as ‘fake,’ too many have become lost. Enter ‘social media,’ where you’d think you can at least trust ‘your friends,’ with it’s hired trolls & provocateurs ..it appears nowhere’s safe…
We do appear to eventually become aware of such problems, if after the damage is done. Pointing them out is a service to society, as you have above ~
Varn
Level 8
Jan 26, 2019
3
Thank you.
I have received vulgar responses to my comments here. The individual often reduces himself to such comments and has regularly displayed an inability to understand relatively uncomplicated topics. I suspect prior religious indoctrination that stunted critical thinking skills outside of religious items of interest is the root cause that causes one to be easily swayed by unconvincing points. I don't dislike the person, but i have yet to see value in any of his posts. I'll chalk it up to susceptibility to fear and age.
Oh, don't use RT for anything.
dokala
Level 7
Jan 26, 2019
3
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
Share this post
Categories
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.