Where did civility go?

When did it start being ok to be disrespectful and discourteous when we had a disagreement or difference of opinion? Maybe it has always been this way and I have just blindly ignored it, or maybe it was just between my friends and I what we could disagree respectfully. I am not really sure, but the fact is that today the atmosphere of dialogue and debate is toxic.

Yes, ever since our founding we Americans have always enjoyed a good argument. It can get heated, voices can get raised and passions are certainly stoked. But it was still usually done with at least a modicum of respect for the other side, or at least those involved pretended to have respect at any rate.

I am not sure when or why exactly all that changed to the current atmosphere where instead of respectfully listening to what our opponent is saying and trying to find the reasons behind why he feels as he does, we just try and shout them down. And when we find ourselves in a position that we cannot defend, we resort to name calling and insults and once that happens there is no coming back.

I feel that part of the blame lies with social media such as Facebook, Twitter, IM, etc. Whereas in the past most debate, difference of opinion would happen socially in a forum such as a town hall, or a coffee shop, today we are able to just immediately take to Social Media and put whatever we want out there. While social media brings lots of good to the table it also brings the bad. Instead of having to face out opponents and look in their eyes, we can now respond without ever seeing the other person. We don't have to worry about hurting their feelings or insulting them. Whereas before there were repercussions to name calling and insulting such as: having the same thrown back at us to physical confrontation (and let me pause to say here that there is NEVER a reason or excuse to resort to physical confrontation) when doing it from cyberspace those concerns are removed. And with those restraints removed we feel free to be as angry, disrespectful and uncivil as we want.

There are admittedly other causes and reasons other than just social media and that is part of why I am writing this... to figure them out.