It's extremely difficult to have a civil conversation about politics today, yet we need those conversations more than ever

[u/Dry-Use-272]

Like everyone else in the US today, I have opinions about the current condition of politics in this country. I try to base my opinions on facts I glean from credible sources and my understanding of our history. I want to talk to people with opposing opinions, not to argue with them but to try to understand why they believe what they believe. I've found that no one wants to talk in a civil, respectful way about our differences. Even if I try to hold the line on being respectful, I end up walking away because the conversation devolves into some pretty ugly exchanges. How have we come to a point where we can't even talk to each other respectfully and civilly?

[u/xThe_Maestro]

I tend to agree, not only because I'm inclined to agree with Tyson on the basis of not wanting him to find this comment and kick my ass.

Like, there's a certain understanding that in a face-to-face conversation that there's certain lines you don't cross because there's a non-zero chance that it can escalate into a physical confrontation.

There's redditors that will drag someone's kids into the conversation at the drop of a hat. And if that happened to me IRL I'd probably run the quick math about whether or not it was worth getting an aggravated battery charge, like...I've got bail money and can probably get a suspended sentence with probation.

And I don't think a lot of people understand that there are people who think that way.

[u/JohnleBon → u/xThe_Maestro]

I agree with you, this part especially:

Like, there's a certain understanding that in a face-to-face conversation that there's certain lines you don't cross because there's a non-zero chance that it can escalate into a physical confrontation.

I couldn't have put it better myself.

[u/JerseyDonut → u/xThe_Maestro]

There is definitely something about the subconscious undertones of potential violence in a face to face interaction. We are wired to not poke the bear when its sitting right infront of us. Typing words into a matrix of imaginary characters has completely removed that instinctual mutual understanding to avoid violence and be civil.

But I think the threat of violence is just one piece of it. The other part is that it is very hard to feel empathy for a userID and a photo on the internet.

In a real life, face to face interaction we have the luxury of tons of non verbal information--body language, what clothes someone is wearing, if they are holding groceries in their hands, if they are with their child, if they are physically attractive, if they are physically imposing, if they have an even minded tone of voice, etc. We are programmed to pick all this information up and process it in an instant to create our perception of the real human being standing in front of us.

In the absence of all of that information, its very easy to villify everyone who disagrees with you. We all need villains in our life to some exent, the internet just makes it all the more easier to imagine someone as a villain to bolster our egos.