cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

Recently read a post of someone being blocked from General Chit-Chat started me thinking about our current world. In a world where communication is so easy it appears people are losing the ability to communicate. If I were to say something another person didn’t like I become a rude vulgar non carrying self-absorbed person.

Disagreements are one way we learn in ideas, knowledge and self-improvement. Dad owned a small business and his customer service teaching was the customer was always right; also you will never please everyone. Dad also was a do what I say dad however he always let me come back and discuss and disagree with him after I did what he said.
I personally dislike any type of censorship especially in a category named General Chit Chat up and to the point of not being civilized or derogatory to one another.
Have we lost the ability to discuss without malice?
Charles

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Charles, The answer is YES in some cases. Stan

Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada

The old expression, "When everyone is thinking alike, no one is thinking", comes to mind...

Dik

one_eyed_pete Loc: Colonie NY

I also hate censorship. It's already destroyed "free press" and is fatally wounding social media. Regarding loss of civilized discussions, I think it's a terrible side effect of the anonymity of social media. Consider the postulate: "If you only listen to others with the same opinion, you will never learn anything new".

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

In the past, this type of thing has gotten so bad that people left the forum entirely. It was really, really nasty. Admin instituted The Attic. That's where you go to insult and be insulted. It's also the only place where anything even close to being political can be posted. I was banned from Chit-Chat for a while because some of my posts were considered too political. Even if you think it's possible for your post to become political, put it in the Attic.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Proper communication is the key. One does not need to be rude, derogatory or resort to name calling, profanity or threats to discuss a different opinion. Calmm intelligent, honest yet respectful communication can and will reap positive results. I don't know if it was Will Rogers or Mark Twain or someone else who said it, but it was something like, "Do not speak to be understood, but speak so as not to be misunderstood!" Clarity of speech is important.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

There are two issues (at least.)
1. Speech that uses impolite, nasty, derogatory, ad hominem, profane, etc. language. In an adult world, belongs in The Attic or preferably not used at all.
2. Disagreements. Disagreement has become increasingly frowned upon to the point that opposing ideas are banned, censored or punished:
- in social media where people only read and converse with people of like mind,
- and particularly in institutions of higher learning where our future adults are taught to avoid exchanges of ideas in favor of seeking safe spaces where everyone agrees with everyone else.