What is so wrong with hearing opinions, even on polarizing subjects, that differ from your own?

I could easily argue that tuning out everyone you disagree with is a big reason this country has become dramatically more polarized in my lifetime.

I personally have friends that span the full political spectrum. Most are generally reasonable, if leaning in one direction or the other. A few are genuine whack-jobs (at least on specific hot-button topics) that are absolutely immune to any logic that doesn't conform to their viewpoint. But I still find it a good mental exercise to see how the full cross-section of the country thinks.

Our ability to have a reasonable discussion about a polarizing topic is completely gone. But we are quickly losing the ability to even listen to someone we disagree with since it is so easy to just turn them off and go hang out in an echo chamber of our own thoughts instead.

I generally choose to not engage someone who is off their rocker on a topic. I see no value in virtual shouting matches where the only winning move is not to play. When I do catch myself responding to someone, I usually remember this comic and just delete my response without posting. But I still think it's important to listen to people you disagree with.