Is the Internet making us dysfunctional?

That's a provocative title.  In a word, no... but the ability to post our opinions world-wide and immediately on the Internet does tend to exaggerate our flaws.

While the Internet is a source of real knowledge, it is a two-edged sword.  One edge educates us, the other is a vast sea of misinformation and, to be blunt, crap which can poison attitudes.  Always check the fine print; who is actually supporting the claims?  Who is behind the web site?  What is their agenda (we all have one)?  Just because you disagree doesn't make them wrong (or you right).

I understand why our immediate reaction to something we disagree with is an emotional response... but why can't we then step back and ask ourselves, "Why did I react that way?"

There have been a number of things on the Internet lately which I've seen, and often commented on, in which some people (nobody I know) will react to in an almost violent way.  Comments are vituperative, divisive, hateful, and bigoted, and when someone calls them on it the writer turns on them with as much anger as their original post contained.

Nothing positive can come of that.  Of course I don't expect anyone to check their emotions at the door; but once you've gotten over your gut reaction, think about what is really going on.  Do some digging, some research, and some careful thought.  Grover Norquist is not an unbiased source; neither is Al Gore.  Try Politifact, Snopes, or some clearly independent news source.  And always get a second or third opinion.  Consensus doesn't necessarily equal reality, but it is closer than a single source would be.

There are always N+1 versions of a story:  everyone's opinion and the real story.  There is nothing to say any "Nth" version of a story is the only right one.  Perhaps your version is better... but what makes it better?  Facts, or just your opinion?  What are the "facts", anyway?  A statement made by your minister isn't a fact unless it is backed up by evidence, so something he or she said in their sermon isn't necessarily a fact.  Please be open to disagreement, as well as to be proven wrong (or at least inaccurate).  If you make a claim later proven false, acknowledge that fact.  It is not a sin to change your mind in the face of new evidence; in fact it is a sign of foolishness not to change your mind in that situation (confirmation bias is a very pervasive and pernicious problem).

I'm not asking you not to react emotionally; all I'm asking you to do is to remember there is more to being a productive member of a civilized society than gut reaction.