Good mental health depends on a certain amount of social interaction, or so I'm told. Many older retirees lack that due to circumstances, desire or even through habit. A forum such as this can provide it to some degree by being an outlet to simply chat with a peer group, share thoughts and ideas and engage in conversation with others who have similar interests. We should be able to do so freely without fear of reproach or censure.
It's obvious that we are a very diverse group in sex, background, education, interests, basic character and current situations so naturally our interests and forms of expression are diverse as well. As adults, our personal interests can and do vary from mundane to ridiculous to obscene and we are allowed to explore all, to form opinions as we wish and to express those opinions within bounds. Strong opinions expressed face-to-face are governed by common courtesy, innate decency and social etiquette. However, internet anonymity allows expression to run amok with no governing.
Personally, I'm inclined to be tolerant of abusive, vicious behavior here because I feel it might give a much needed outlet to disturbed thoughts or feelings and might keep someone from expressing them in another form in real life circumstances. If an outlet is needed, this is safer and less likely to cause material harm to others. Thankfully, I can be tolerant without engaging in the battle. When the thread turns vicious or needlessly repetitive, I simply move on.
But unless it is an outlet for disturbed thoughts, what's the point in being verbally abusive? Someone who has formed firm opinions is unlikely to change them as the results of harsh or abusive words. Present your facts and argue your point, of course, but what is to be accomplished by abusive behavior? Discuss the point at will but, in the end, we must all simply agree to disagree and that's OK.
