There's sort of a natural flow to it. In fall people start to calm down as the temperature cools and the days get shorter. By winter we're mostly subdued (and often depressed). Late in winter and early into spring the cabin fever hits and there's usually a quick bump in irritability, but it subsides because spring is a time of renewal and life is usually fun during spring. Then comes the heat of summer. I noticed a long time ago my relationship with just about everyone is at a serious low ebb in August, I hate everybody, it's been hot for 6 weeks and we've got 6 more weeks to go and f$#@ everybody.
and LikeLight wrote at 105
There's an ebb and flow, but it's not about seasons or temperatures . . . it just depends on what's happening in the world . . . when we have a common foe, like during SoreLoserman hell, we're an awesome fun-loving effective force . . . when the news-cycle is running slow, with nothing but manufactured "news" like kidnappings and suv crashes, we get weak and pathetic, trolling for something to get passionate about . . . sometimes, out of the sheer boredom of it all, we attack each other . . . but don't count us out when the next real political crisis arises . . .
I think you both are saying important things. Thank you. Lay on top of all that what I believe is a continuing collective PTSD going on in the country, and you have a situation where almost any conflict becomes more pronounced and potentially more lethal.