In a situation where ideas are readily available, the only winning game is to remove the credibility from your opponent. It's a logical fallacy, but things like

In a situation where ideas are readily available, the only winning game is to remove the credibility from your opponent. It's a logical fallacy, but things like discrediting witnesses has been done for decades. So convincing your followers that your "opponents" are racist, communist, etc is apparently proving to be the best way to win in a connected society. I say that because that's what the winners on both ends are engaging in, and are winning.