Ending not-so-nice behaviour that permeates discourse surrounding issues like politics, religion, and even fandom stuff.
The key to better debates: Accountability
Everything posted in this community is great--but there's an important factor we need to consider for better debates: accountability.
What I mean is that when it comes to ending toxic discourse it's up to you to do your part. You have to take responsibility when your behavior contributes to toxic discourse.
It's no one person's fault that Trump won or that people think we're a bunch of whiney SJWs. But if you treat your opponents with toxic contempt, you are contributing to a negative environment for discussion. At some point, people will simply stop engaging with you. That's when they begin to form improper assumptions about you--which they're too afraid to break because you've already scared them away from a reasonable conversation.
So if you want responsible discussion, discuss responsibility. Act as a stakeholder in the economy of debate and conversation. Thank your opponents for their time, make them feel heard and considered, avoid condescencion and admit when you are wrong (this is #1 most important).
When enough people act accountibly for their discussion habits, we can start to see a trend of more reasonable and richer discussion. Thank you.



You make some very insightful points. Thank you! <3
I agree!