Was busy dropping facts about the current political situation (actual facts backed up with sources) and stated that I thought that the only way to correct current political corruption and overreach was to let the current administration continue to do what they're doing because a.) They're going to anyway and b.) people have short memories and yeah, no matter how you feel about Trump et al, they are abusing things - but then that much power shouldn't have been consolidated to just a few people. Been that way for decades... but anyway...
Dude I've known for like 5 years comes back with general insults to my intelligence and threats to our friendship. In short, acting the exact polarizing way I was just pointing out among the more radical left and right. It was "instant REEE, just add water" reaction.
First, if you're going on about someone's intelligence, it's probably because you have inadequacies in that department yourself. Most especially if the other person never brings that up.
Second, don't ever threaten me because I'll follow through because I'm going to take you at your word. Our friendship must not have meant that much because that's what he was threatening. But, yeah, Imma take you at your word. Threaten to "beat me up" or kill me? Better knock me out with the first punch and, yeah, Imma come after you. Threaten to tell someone something about me to blackmail me? I'll tell them myself and not let you know so you can be seen as the evil moron you are. Things like that.
So, yeah, no more conversing. Just "I hate you and everything you stand for and I don't like what you're saying so you can't say anything."
And all he had to do was say something civil instead like "I don't want to have this conversation" or "I can't agree with you and I don't think we're going accomplish anything but an argument here" or something like that. I mean, geez, I'd have actually respected him for that. But as it stands, if I ever see him in town, he needs to pretend he doesn't know me.
Where is all this stupidity coming from???
It is seriously hard to have civil discussions anymore. We all take everything far too seriously, and I'm not sure how that came to be. It just sorta happened.
My guess is that much has to do with the ease of access of people to spout their opinions so freely on all the various social platforms with zero consequences. Before, we had conversations among our friends and family and pretty much knew what buttons to push and those to stay away from. It was called civility and unless you were spoiling for a fight, you just watched your tongue. That's all seemed to have changed now.
Now we're forced to hear damn near everyone's opinion ... many of which we don't agree with or aren't worth hearing in the first place - LOL. And many, including myself from time to time, have gone overboard on responses to what we think is lunacy. Is there a solution ... who knows, it's beyond my pay grade. But I've always found it best to not let it get to me. Even when I realize I too went to far, I try to walk it back when I cool down some, ending with the old standby 'we have to agree to disagree'. Sadly though, there are many out there who thrive on the conflict and their take is to keep pushing for a cheap thrill. Sometimes you can't win ... but you can always walk away the bigger person.