Have we forgotten how to debate and disagree without getting sarcastic and angr

1. 61

   jstfishinmanposted 10 years ago

   Have we forgotten how  to debate and disagree without getting sarcastic and angry?
   
   Exchanging information used to be a civil conversation even if people disagreed. Has our society become so polarized that we have lost the ability to communicate without anger spewing out of our mouths and fingers?

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2. 85

   gmwilliamsposted 10 years ago

   
   
   It takes a level of maturity and evolvement to have a discourse without resorting to the lowest common denominator.  There are many people who have an "I'm right" consciousness.   They staunchly maintain that their ideology and opinion are the only sacrosanct and correct ones.  They are of the school that if a person has a different opinion, they are wrong although the latter person is presenting another perspective to the discussion. 
   
   There are people who have the us vs. them mentality which is evident in almost every discourse they participate in.  They adamantly refuse to believe and see that are varied correct opinions and outlooks in life.  They believe that they are the only knowledgeable and educated ones and that all who are intelligent should see things THEIR way or NO way at all.

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   1. 85

      gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for selecting my answer.  It is so greatly appreciated!

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3. 85

   Express10posted 10 years ago

   My experience thus far has been that a fair number of us have forgotten how to discuss, disagree, or debate without getting angry while others never have this issue. Still others sway back and forth between the two depending upon their mood I'd guess. This life experience makes me weary of some and so grateful for others!

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4. 81

   gregasposted 10 years ago

   And stubborn? They need to re-learn how to compromise. Greg

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5. 59

   IDONOposted 10 years ago

   For the most part, no. But when you get into the topics of religion and politics, that all changes. Simply because about everything discussed on those two subjects are based on opinion rather than fact. And the ones that think their opinion is the truth are usually the ones telling others that they are wrong. Now there are resentments and we know what comes next. Arguments. It's inevitable.
        It's coincidental that you ask this now. Recently, I've been reading about why people will stick through thick and thin to an idea or belief, even when they know there is a better one right in front of them. I won't try to explain because I'm not sure I really understand it yet, but go to Google and type in the keywords "cognitive dissonance". It gives numerous examples and explanations of what they label as a theory. It's interesting stuff.

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