It'd be nice to know that civility still exists. Or at least is an idea.
Unfortunately, it isn't the case.
We've seen for years the damage caused by any number of belligerent voices in the public sphere, such as that of Pat Robertson, Rush Limbaugh, and Glenn Beck.
The attitude has spread like a cancer, and it has spread to us too.
Continued after the jump.
People use the Internet and its sense of anonymity to say whatever one thinks, without consideration as to how what one says may affect others. Gawker founder Nick Denton explained recently that at the beginning of the wide availability of the Internet, it was thought that it would pave the way for an engaging global discussion the likes of which could not have been comprehended just a few decades earlier.
Nowadays, as one looks at the comments section of just about any major site, one sees that the dream never happened. Comment sections have become homes to spammers, hate mongers, or anyone wanting to share an opinion without considering all the facts.
I've never been a fan of the comments section for this exact reason, and for another: I have my opinion, you have yours. I'm entitled to mine and you're entitled to yours. I'm most likely not going to change your opinion, and you're most likely not going to change mine. So what's the point in arguing?
I'd much rather just be civil.
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