I find current online political discourse to be very beligerent. Do you?

I find that the way people often talk about politics on the internet is hostile, arrogant, or aggressive. I've grown quite fed up with it really. It is difficult to have a civilized discussion about politics online without seeing someone use the words socialist, capitalist, Christian, atheist, or communist as synonyms for "bastard." Shallow and immature accusations appear to be the norm ("why do you hate America" etc.) And perhaps the worst part is that people are often very sure of their opinions on things they have no formal education on. For example, people who have never taken an academic economics class are often arrogant about their economic views, and people with no formal education in climate science often make radical statements about climate change (these people include famous pundants like Al Gore and Sarah Palin).

Indeed, my frustration with political arrogance can be summed up with this graph:
http://theartfulscience.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/20110308.gif

So, am I the only one who's frustrated by the arrogance and belligerence that's everywhere in online political discourse?

 

Ha! Yes, that sums it up pretty well.

I do think we should all admit that we don't know everything. Just for the sake of honesty.

I know what I know and I know what I think and I think I know what I think I know.

 

The politicians and media are just as beligerent.

And to be honest, I'm pretty sure the moderates in the middle are just low information voters who don't pay attention. As to random arrogance on the interweb over various issues, not all of knowledge is tied up in academia. The dumbest things said about economics these day come out of a nobel prize winning economist the writes for the NYT.

The experts tend to all be just as clueless.

 

Not generally. We have more anonymity than they do. We're less likely to face consequences for what we say. Which maybe makes us more honest, but it also makes us quicker to talk without thinking it through first.

It has its plusses as well as its minuses.

 

I find most left-minded folks to be particularly rude, hostile, arrogant and aggressive if one disagrees with them or facts presented that run counter to their life-long held beliefs.

 

politics and religion has become much like sports sadly

 

I find some Right-minded folks to be particularly rude, hostile, arrogant and aggressive if one disagrees with them or facts presented that run counter to their life-long held beliefs.

 

Lol...Politics and religion have been the two most contentious discussion topics since the beginning of time...stir anonymity in with the modern political environment, unsustainable debt, a rotten economy, and the increasingly revealed, gaping chasm between individualist and collectivist based ideologies.....

and the level of acrimony naturally goes up.

 

I'm sure that does happen. What do you find happens when you disagree with right-wingers, or present them with facts that run counter to their life-long held beliefs?

I like Morpheus' take, when told, "(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*), Morpheus, not everyone believes what you believe!" He replies, "My beliefs do not require them to." That's the way I look at it.

Of course, in politics, it's not just about what people believe, it's also about what people do. If a person wants to believe that it's impossible for the environment to be affected by industrial pollution, that doesn't bother me. But when they go ahead and pollute the world on an industrial level, that bothers me. Just because you're rich enough to own a factory, or an industry, doesn't mean that you're entitled to screw up a world that is every bit as much mine as yours.

 

I've seen people get in fistfights over politics or religion when I used to bartend. This is the oldest form of participation, next to prostitution, that people have ever engaged in. I'd say its less beligerent now because its done over the internet alot of times and people can simply shut down their computer. Face to face it tends to get more nasty.

 

My pet peeves are:
- Conspiracy theories spewing from the right and a constant characterization as weak minded liberal to anyone who does not agree with them. Also, the right fails to understand that people sometimes fall down simply because of circumstances or bad choices or lack of proper education / guidance. They do not deserve them. Bigotry is also often as issue i.e my religion is the only correct one all others are evil.
- Racism still exists yet the white will have you believe they are the victims of racism which is ridiculous. What the blacks feel is resentment because of racism from the whites. That is not racism but simply a justified reaction to being beaten down by the white majority.
- A common left problem is the atheists. Fine you have the right to not believe in God but then others have the right to believe in God if they so wish without being mocked. Their attitude often is "This is a person who believes in fairy tales. Why should I give credence to anything he has to say?"

 

Yes I am frequently annoyed by conspiracy theories relating to evolution and global warming. My stance is that if you're attracted to a conspiracy theory, you should first immerse yourself if the evidence behind the "mainstream theories" as well. For instance, if you want to believe evolution is a hoax, you should open a biology textbook first and learn about genetics, heredity, artificial selection, natural selection, and so on.

I think there are a couple "left wing" conspiracies as well. If you want to see them, go watch one of the Zeigiest movies.

And about atheist critics of religion, I find that the actual professional critics of religion that have PhDs, full time jobs, and families are actually very well spoken and polite. Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins are good examples. Sam Harris can explain his reasoning behind criticizing religion without becoming angry or even slightly condescending. The rude, arrogant critics are just these guys fans.

 

I agree but I was talking in the context of this forum and it happens all too often here.

 

Oh, for sure. The nature of politics just fosters the development of what you described in your OP. From both parties and from most, if not all, peoples (sooner or later). I've noticed it more on the internet but, to be fair, I haven't discussed politics with as many people in real life. So I have some slight bias.

 

OK let's try....Homosexuality (for instance) is a human aberration. That is fact and for this, lefties call me a 'homophobe' and claim I hate gays.

 

Don't take notice of the Americans and you will find yourself mixing with a much nicer type of person -- and better educated

 

We are getting how people feel, raw, uncut.

Getting offended is the first step of censorship. Get some thicker skin.

 

What about girls putting a c--k in their mouth? Is that an aberration? How about anything that's not for procreation, or not the missionary position? Oh, that's right, your opinion on sexual intercourse is the ONLY one that matters whatsoever. Well let me say this. Anyone that eats a pig is committing an aberration. It's disgusting and dirty and repulsing, therefore, I call for it to be outlawed and anyone that does so to be humiliated, bullied, oppressed and put into "programs" to be set straight from their sinful feelings of desire for hot dogs and BBQ pulled pork sandwiches. And dont' get me started on bacon. (BTW- this is all from the Bible, so it's as justified a position as yours is).

So what say you? Are you a revolting, disgusting pig eating cretin?

 

Another Kenvin sock thread???

 

There's a reason behind my signature, and that graph just about sums it up

 

And as one of those homosexuals, I get called a pedophile, or put in the same bucket with having sex with a dog, a corpse a tree or a building. Being you must be so difficult .

 

stop throwing your sexual orientation in everyone's face. Nobody wants to hear about it.

 

There's a happy medium in there somewhere. Generally being NICE and OPEN MINDED is the first step towards understanding each other... which is the goal, I think.... or is it to belittle each other? It is possible to say how you feel with out being a jerk in the process.

 

Speaking of that censorship you were talking about in your last post, em????

And no, bringing it up under relevant context is not "throwing it in your face". Naturally it will come out more in a POLITICAL FORUM, so don't act so shocked and offended... that's the first step of censorship. People in real life rarely learn of my sexuality because I DON'T wear it on my sleeves or push it on anyone.

 

Stop wallowing in your homophobia.
You only embarrass yourself.