I think part of the problem today is that we treat debate as a sport. We go into it with this me versus whoever mentality. You never see people engaging with the intent of actually solving a problem. It's always this I win they lose theme instead of trying to find a solution.
Yes, there does tend to be a lot of that. Too many people tend to take a comment or an argument that doesn't agree with their opinion as a personal attack when it is actually just an honestly held opinion. Of course, one should not offer an opinion in the form of a personal attack or ad hominem either. So two sides to the story.
All animal life have evolved to seek safety and security as much possible. The nervousness you feel in less than secure situations is our instincts knocking at our conscious minds. Humans minds evolved the ability to abstract and imagine which has put us in a pickle. Instead of that unpleasant nervousness we can use our imagination to pretend we are safe. You feel safe when you are certain of the outcome of any event. Having a rigid certainty of how things are and what is right and some other weak group to point to that is doing things that are not right, gives the feeling of knowing that things are under control and therefore we are safe. It is called fear aggression.
The Left don't debate they just DEFAME
Those on the right never defame because they tell the truth about all the despicable things, satanic rituals, sacrificing babies, forcing people to do things, and other atrocities.
I feel that in general, most people are fairly polarized in their views on most topics and thus 'debate' from that position. Few, if any, will be prepared to acknowledge another pov let alone change their minds and adopt one.
I’d pigeonhole myself as a moderate conservative. Open minded, willing to see both sides.
Then Barry Obama, and leftist media, embraced the dark side.
I’ve started to feel like, this is end times and we are choosing sides.
If Satan hasn’t taken control of media, he has one hell of an advocate
Actually, while you’re right for the most part, I think the problem you are seeing is more a case of most people either don’t consider that they’re “debating” or, more likely, have never learned How to Debate.
The other problem is that a lot of people aren’t sure how to converse without ongoing and continual feedback so their responses might START “on track” but pretty quickly go “off the rails”.
Further, many people start from a Hard Mind Set and are not flexible enough to try to see it from another point of view. When I was a kid ... and now as an adult with “certain” adults ... we used to debate a topic for a period of time from one point and then, “Flip” to debate it from the other point ... nobody likes the concept of changing sides or their minds anymore even though looking at things that way can reveal a lot of surprising answers ...
I was told my entire life never to talk politics or religion. I’m glad I ignored that instruction as I can talk about such things without getting angry.
So many approach things from a position of certainty, they are sure they know what is right and what is wrong. It feels powerful having that certainty. Those positions are often formed by listening to others and selecting the ideas that are black and white and self satisfying. If they feel they know all the answers they have no need of debate or discussion. The other viewpoint is wrong and that's all there is to it.