Rain
 
So basically, every one is just labeling and dismissing every one that doesn't agree with them just to make a point.
 
 

Nailed it Rain.
 
But there are exceptions. For years I have been a member of two other forums that have been very enjoyable and provided a wealth of information. I also enjoy sharing information there. 
The members know the specific topic and can stay on topic. That makes it great for all, those that are learning and those that help them and possibly learn something new themselves. Yeah...I think one may learn by teaching. Depending, maybe not. ( it also makes it very easy to know who is full of sh[t and who isn't)
 
Places like this and I guess, facebook...I don't know about facebook...really don't have a topic. Minds are free to ramble and they ramble on.
 
I guess an analogy that fits for me; this is like a kids playground. When one isn't at a specific forum (classroom) then they are on recess having fun, name calling, fighting, etc., getting into trouble and all that sh`t. 
 
Well, recess is over. Back to studies.
 
 
 
 
 

sharke
I've noticed that a lot of people have given up the pretense of objective reasoning and have taken to reaching into a grab bag of slogans instead of formulating real arguments. I see this in real life as well as online. Political discussions are getting more and more frustrating if you're the kind of person who enjoys a constructive debate because no matter how much thought you put into an argument, your opponent's eyes will glaze over until it's their turn to speak at which point they'll say something along the lines of "yes granted, but what you're forgetting is...." followed by a bunch of parrot-learned talking points which have absolutely no relevance to what you've just said. 
 
And then you have young people who, on top of this, have been brainwashed into the politics of victimhood. I see this in the comments of trendy sites like Buzzfeed, in which people who don't belong to some politically protected victim group are instantly shouted down and mocked because they're "not authentic enough." It's painfully fashionable to say that you're oppressed, marginalized and alienated even when you're none of those things (and are living one of the most safe, privileged lifestyles in human history). Any attempt to point this out is inmmediately attacked with a shrill cacophony of indignation and how dare you's. 
 
I sometimes wonder if these kids ever stop to think that people in blighted 3rd world countries who lead genuinely oppressed lives of subsistence and terror have occasional access to the internet and might see their comments. What must one think, living a life of oppression and poverty, to see some fashionably adorned rich American kid decked out with all the latest gadgets and slurping on $7 lattes, whining that their life is a living hell because they have the occasional derogatory comment directed at them from time to time. 

Your best post ever, Sharke.
 
What we're seeing is yet another facet of the polarization that's been going on since the 60's, with fragile multiphobes defining one end of the spectrum and narcissistic psychopaths the other.
 
As with all types of polarization, those at the fringe demand that we in the middle choose a side and be loyal to it. A reasonable person who believes in civility - but also believes that you are ultimately responsible for your own happiness - is ridiculed by both sides.
 
 

People are so focused on expressing their opinions that the art of listening is dead. People hear, but they don't listen. 

All of you, wake up from your pity party and start living.  The world aint so bad.

If I was banned from FB for 7 days, I think I would just find something productive to do instead. Just thinking, maybe I need to ban myself.

michaelhanson
If I was banned from FB for 7 days, I think I would just find something productive to do instead. Just thinking, maybe I need to ban myself.

That's the kind of mansplainin we need Michael.  Thank you.

michaelhanson
If I was banned from FB for 7 days, I think I would just find something productive to do instead. Just thinking, maybe I need to ban myself.

Sounds like you could do with an app like Cold Turkey. You can set it up to block any websites you like for a certain amount of time and you can't visit any of them until you reboot. It's ideal if you have some work to be getting along with and don't trust yourself not to continually check sites for updates and notifications (which I'm guilty of). 
 

"I got a 7 day ban from Facebook"

pfffst ..... amateur 

Hmmmmmm. 38 posts and not one questioning the OP's statement. I never visit Facebook but I find the banning a little hard to believe. Maybe there was a mistake, maybe there is more to the story. Odd how everyone leaps to the defense by exhibiting the same behavior ( condemning all on Facebook) that they rail about. How about a little dialog and some questioning before the torches and pitchforks?

craigb
I'm attempting a life-time ban of Feckbook.

Make it self inflicted.