http://www.liberalamerica.org/2015/02/11/28-reasons-im-done-talking-to-most-of-my-conservative-friends-and-family-members/
As the author of the article points out, there are plenty of things to be discussed with conservative friends, just as long as it's not about anything which is actually important. It's not that we don't like to talk about these issues and even desire to have intelligent conversations which include disagreements. It's just that we don't like being screamed at.
What today is labeled a "conservative" is a terrified reactionary, dreaming nightmares of glories past and disasters yet to come. They live in a state of constant terror and endless rage, because they find these feelings comforting. Having lost the culture wars, they have nothing left with which to define themselves except their sense of abandonment and betrayal. The past must have been glorious because then they were in power. The future must be a dystopian disaster because they will no longer get their way.
This means that reality and the facts which construct reality are an existential threat to them. In a spiritual, philosophical, psychological sense, to use facts in a discussion with them is the equivalent of pointing a loaded gun at their body. I feel great pity for people so trapped by fear, but that does not mean I make excuses for them.
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