I understand that you've answered that you get to decide if a person is worthy of respect or dignity or decency. I find it highly ironic since you seem to exist on a part of the spectrum that would want those things for (almost?) everyone. That may not be true, but you seem inclined to push socialist ideas. I'm very open to that, personally. Many Americans are; the culture wars are used to distract and divide and it works.

If I've persisted in my question on why you become knee-jerk incivil, it's because the answers so far have landed as "because." Your most recent response hits more authentically and I appreciate it. I've sparred with trolls. I've sparred with those who genuinely disagree for good (and bad) reasons. Authentic, mature conversation appeals to me.

Dropping to name calling (emojis) based on the first reply on a thread lowers discourse. I'll stop here. I just wish that shit didn't happen so much.

I'm not your opponent but you sure set out that way when you correctly determined I'm in and from the US. The combativeness was not deserved, it was off-putting and I am much less likely to want to engage. Shrug.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml -1 points 1 year ago

It basically comes down to the paradox of tolerance. I don't think it's worth trying to have an actual discussion when people are trolling me which simply sucks up my time and validates what they're doing.

Again, I didn't determine you're my opponent based on the fact that you're from US. That seemed to be the case base on the derogatory personal attacks you made against me, such as calling me a tankie. That was off-putting to me, and hence why I didn't see any point in trying to have a mature discussion. I'm perfectly happy to change my mind if you're willing to have civil discourse as we're having now.