To wonder when it become normal

[TheHope]

to call someone stupid or otherwise insult their intelligence for having a different opinion to you, and how can we stop doing it?

Admittedly I’ve been browsing the CITME threads which are an extreme example but I’ve heard it lots in real life lately. Right wing voters have no brains, left wing are too emotional for example.

It does end conversation, and CITME board is a very aggressive board. I think it’s a response to something very emotive on that board, and the point scoring, and patronising and double standards run people up the wrong way, then someone bites and it turns into a playground.

I don’t have the answer, but maybe if we were all more mindful and when discussing difficult topics try to appreciate things have a lot of grey areas.

What’s CITME, please?

I'm pretty sure it was always a pretty common thing to do tbh.

TBH I'm knocking 0n 70 and have never known it to be any different - apart, obviously, from the wide reach on SM.

As long as i can remember those with strong opinions accused people of stupidity if they disagreed with them.

There's just a much much bigger audience to insult.

conflict in the middle east board on mumsnet

It's easy enough to ignore and shows people who aren't debating in good faith. They often can't meet your argument so resort to name calling. It's been ever thus but arguing behind a screen makes it easier.

I wasn't really aware of the CITME board until you mentioned it OP - I'll need to have a look at it.
I know I've posted on a few threads on MN , in AIBU or similar, and had posters sometimes quote me back and say "Don't be stupid!" . The vehemence of the response always takes me by surprise: I don't have a problem with people disagreeing with me but it's the put down that is so unnecessary.
There does seem to be just so much intolerance for other people's views these days. People aren't interested in debate and view points. They just want to impress their opinion on others.

Thank you

Oh yeah, I must remember to hide that board. It makes aibu look like a knitting circle