I understand what you’re saying about the postings. If you’ve seen what some people have said to me I think you’d say “You do know”.
Let me just say that I don’t think it’s always “hate” behind it. I think it’s too broad. I think a lot of people are frustrated and are taking it out on others. I don’t believe such frustration equates to “hate”. I think a lot of people here type things hastily (and I have done that reading something a little too quickly) and also sometimes do not take things in proper context and shoot back. I don’t necessarily think the underlying emotion is “hate” as much as it is trying to one-up someone in those instances and letting one’s pride get in the way. Sometimes people here write things they’d never say to someone’s face, but I don’t think they hate the people they are doing it to. They might think they can be tougher because of internet anonymity/disconnect, but being a jerk doesn’t necessarily mean that hate is the foundation they are working from. I think the context as to what the argument is and where it’s going needs to be looked atto see if it’s degrading into stuff that not really productive and not helping anyone, and I think that happens, but I don’t think I’d classify the large majority of things going on here in that category. Of course I don’t read everything posted here either.
Misreading things, taking something out of context, being in a bad mood and taking it out on someone who’s critical of something you posted and taking it personally, coupled with the ‘isolation/disconnect’ of the internet itself, allows people to be more efficient jerks, if they want to be, or nail someone back pretty easily. I guess I just don’t usually see it as “hating” the other person.
I will agree and say that there are some people that enjoy riling up and ripping others jsut for the sake of doing it, or just like arguing for the sake of arguing, but I will tell you that I see way more DU troll type people here that like doing that rather than real conservatives. Personally if I find myself involved with one of those people at some point I realize I’m just beating my fists against a wall and drop it.
The other thing I’d say is that heated discussions that raise people’s tempers aren’t always a bad thing. You think our Founding Fathers just sat around at desks sitting calmly sipping tea and never raising their voices at each other? Over principles? Or even taking low blows to one another?
Very well put (especially about the founding fathers).
Also, I agree the Internet has caused a lack of civility in discussions. It is a shame, but I know I’ve been on both sides of that lack of civility with my lack of tact in responses. I’ve also had my opinion change by a couple of people, that’s a part of being open minded (not due to my intelligence). I’ve run into some that were far more intelligent and that’s the beauty of FR.