“Something we can’t control is somebody else’s reaction or behavior,” she says. “Therefore, what we bring to the table is the most important thing. If everybody came to the table with that concept wanting to be civil and have a civil conversation, the world would be a lovely place.”
How many times over the many years of posting online have you either witnessed or have been part of an ugly verbal brawl? Most of us have, and it's not pleasant. It doesn't have to be this way.
In this above article, the author suggests focusing on your language, your motive to be in the conversation and also to evaluate your ability to argue on the subject matter. I'll add to that and say, we all can debate with modest passion on a subject, but leave the name calling, judgement out of the conversation and the debate will go much smoother. In doing your best to understand other beliefs or positions on a topic, it will enrich your life by becoming more informed, while also having more patience with some compassion.