Has the partisan divide wrecked the art of conversation?

[LuvOrlando]

What do you think?

 

[BrianL]

I'm not sure if it's JUST that that has wrecked the art of conversation, but it is a contributing factor.

 

[soccerdad72]

No, I think technology has been a much larger factor (and it's contributed to the partisan divide as well).

 

[dez1978]

It's not the only thing, but it's a factor. People forgot how to have uncomfortable conversations. Or how to debate about things they don't agree with. Now if theres a disagreement, people resort to name calling and whatever. Used to be people could talk about things and have very different opinions and just agree to disagree.

 

[BrianL]

No, I think technology has been a much larger factor (and it's contributed to the partisan divide as well).

I think this is more accurate. Technology, particularly the smart phone and the influence of always-on social media, has changed the way people have conversations and pushed them to think of nearly everything through a partisan lens. It has greatly heightened the partisan divide for sure.

It's amazing how something that should have brought us together has actually driven us apart!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think it is the largest factor.

 

[DCLMP]

No, I think technology has been a much larger factor (and it's contributed to the partisan divide as well).

I would agree with this. I've never had a political conversation with anyone other than family outside of the internet. In real life it's generally avoided. I avoid it. I like all my neighbors and co-workers and have no idea where they stand politically.

It's only on social media where I see the hate and divisiveness. Unfortunately social media is where most people spend their time nowadays.

 

[DCLMP]

I think this is more accurate. Technology, particularly the smart phone and the influence of always-on social media, has changed the way people have conversations and pushed them to think of nearly everything through a partisan lens. It has greatly heightened the partisan divide for sure.

It's amazing how something that should have brought us together has actually driven us apart!

A lot of it's done intentionally to divide us.

 

[lanejudy]

I agree that technology has played a greater role in the decline of conversationalism. School cafeterias have started banning cell phone use and found the students are actually talking to each other now instead of all on their phones. Too much texting and social media. As PP mentioned, politics (and with that the partisan divide) has almost never entered into my day-to-day conversations with neighbors, friends, co-workers, etc.

 

[BrianL]

A lot of it's done intentionally to divide us.

Yes, because there is so much money to be had in doing so. It's sad though.

 

[_19disnA]

I have never discussed religion or politics with friends/neighbors or co-workers going back many years. If someone tries to drag me into such conversations, I just tell them I don't discuss that in public and change the subject. During the last election a few neighbors put out political signs which was the only way I would know which side of the aisle they were on. I don't do social media as it seems mostly like a place for opinionated people to argue with those who view something differently than they do. Waste of my time and can't be bothered with such nonsense.

 

[DCLMP]

Yes, because there is so much money to be had in doing so. It's sad though.

If you keep people fighting among themselves they will ignore the real enemy.

 

[gottalovepluto]

No, I think technology has been a much larger factor (and it's contributed to the partisan divide as well).

Bingo. It's made finding your echo chamber so much easier, who wants to leave the happy place where everyone agrees with you? When you do, it's even more jarring because you thought everyone thought like you. Yeah, tech has def made this so much worse.

Covid also contributed as we sat at home for months (to years depending on your state), with nothing to do but find those echo chambers.

 

[RedHead0186]

No, at least not solely. I think the lost art of critical thinking plays the biggest part, honestly. People just believe whatever they read and don't think about whether it was a viable source. Many people are do not appear to be able to have an open mind and contemplate what the other person is saying (again, critical thinking skills). I think technology has played a role in that.

I do think that the partisan divide makes these issues more obvious, but I don't think the partisan divide alone has wrecked the art of conversation.

 

[RedHead0186]

Covid also contributed as we sat at home for months (to years depending on your state), with nothing to do but find those echo chambers.

Excellent point. We literally lost the art of conversation when we were all limited in social interactions during the pandemic.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

If only we could respectfully listen more and talk a little less........ We can learn from listening. We learn nothing from talking over others...... Too many people don't care there are two parts to a conversation.

 

[DCLMP]

Excellent point. We literally lost the art of conversation when we were all limited in social interactions during the pandemic.

Covid divided people more than anything else. Battle lines got drawn. This had nothing to do with lack of social interaction. The closures lasted a couple of months the fights went on for years and it hasn’t stopped.

 

[citruscurtis]

Many people are do not appear to be able to have an open mind and contemplate what the other person is saying (again, critical thinking skills). I think technology has played a role in that.

This happened yesterday... Amtrak into Yuma was 7 hours late and eventually 9 hours. I was asking folks for my news article submission how they navigated the late arrival timetable.... I was introducing them to a very simple Internet site... just one click..instead of the very awkward Amtrak site. No one was interested in previewing the site. They had what they had. Then I was sharing the consequences ahead of them... that their connection was not going to be there.....nah..we have a ticket and they better honor that specific route/passage...no one listened or sought further conversation

 

[BrianL]

This happened yesterday... Amtrak into Yuma was 7 hours late and eventually 9 hours. I was asking folks for my news article submission how they navigated the late arrival timetable.... I was introducing them to a very simple Internet site... just one click..instead of the very awkward Amtrak site. No one was interested in previewing the site. They had what they had. Then I was sharing the consequences ahead of them... that their connection was not going to be there.....nah..we have a ticket and they better honor that specific route/passage...no one listened or sought further conversation

Yeah, and when they get there and have missed their connection, they will be mad. It's almost like that's what people want - to be disappointed so they can be upset about it. They seem to prefer it to actually having things go right or enjoying soemthing.

 

[citruscurtis]

As for partisan and COVID divide...my wife has some of that but because our massive retirement city we all depend on each other and mum is the word... seniors here are just tired of the pointless banter and we actually have rules about Happy hour conversations