this sort of polarization isn't exactly novel in american discourse - we have inherited puritanical zealousness/reductionism, a mechanical/calvinistic sense of

this sort of polarization isn't exactly novel in american discourse - we have inherited puritanical zealousness/reductionism, a mechanical/calvinistic sense of 'the predetermined elect', an overly rationalizing sense of self-righteousness / exceptionalism, yet simultaneously the notion that not only are all opinions somewhat valid and worthy of consideration. further, topics pertaining to 'what is right' (e.g. philosophy/ethics/morality/religion) as a whole are ignored or assumed to be 'decided' within this framework, which limits our ability to actually view things from differing perspectives. and of course the whole thing is the summit of human progress, so one cannot criticize 'the box' without being ostraciszed (witness downvotes here) added up, this means that i can think whatever extreme thing I want because all opinions are valid, my zealous reductionism can carte-blanche dismiss all contrary opinions based on arbitrary moving-goalpost criterion (that i'm allowed to invent, because opinions), i can self justify my attacks out of self righteousness, and engage in narcissistic self-identification as the 'elect' by joining with others of my group in claiming to be part of the 'elect' which hold this opinion. when faced with conflicting opinions i can use these same extreme-reductionist tools to simultaneously attack ad-hominem (you are not the elect), use my over-reductionism to dismiss valid counterclaims out of arbitrary sliced-up criteria (yes but..), and when this fails, sit well with dismissing the whole discussion using 'everyone is entitled to their opinion' which gives myself a good feeling of 'fairness' (despite the actual discussion being the contrary and a mockery of actual discourse) and use the good feelings to rationalize away the nagging feeling that i just actually dismissed something legitimate.. further, in living in such a confusing environment of im-entirely-right-but-yet-you-are-entitled-to-your-opinion contradition soup, i can either stay in the middle trying to be balanced and be confused, or latch on to an extreme point of view, and use the rush of it's novelness and 'clarity' (viz. moving goalpost extreme reductionism) to give my self an ego boost (joining the elect), and 'solve for the problem', which i must adhere to strictly and fully, lest i fall away back to the confusion again.. that said the combination of social media vapidness and broadcast media hunger to pick up 'controversies' makes the whole thing worse, i agree.