I think you have to look at context: I'm sure in the 1600s, 1800s, early 1900s, etc. when people were less educated and saying some things really could get you

I think you have to look at context: I'm sure in the 1600s, 1800s, early 1900s, etc. when people were less educated and saying some things really could get you killed, people were more "politically extreme". On the other hand, I do think the mainstream news and comments are more polarized than they were in the 2000s and 2010s, when it seemed mainstream Republicans were more moderate/libertarian, and mainstream Democrats didn't literally take the position "all Republicans are racist" and "free speech is unreasonable". Although some of that is surely me getting older, learning more about politics and the people around me doing the same. You also have to understand that the most vocal people and the most covered news is the most radical, and IME actual people (both in-person, and those who don't comment as much or get their comments upvoted as much) are still really nuanced and reasonable. I think it's good that you're concerned about extreme views, and the best thing you can do is to despite hearing all these vocal people avoid becoming extreme yourself.