@design_RG Increased polarization seems to be the common wisdom, but I don't know if it's so straightforward. Consider that rates of terrorist-related killing were much higher in the 70s than today because of violent left-wing bombings and such, so there was a time in the US where some subset of the politically-active were literally killing people over their ideology.
There are probably ways in which we are more polarized now, but it's easy to forget the details of the past.
@pganssle It's true that there were militant actions in the 70s, but what I think is new today is the belligerency of some average person you might meet at a social event. People are adamant about their opinions, and not inclined to listen, consider or change theirs.
If conflict is the likely result of such encounters, it ends up more productive to avoid them, imo.
@design_RG In any case, I definitely am not worried about interacting with people with a different ideology or background than me. What's shocking to me is that anyone sees it as something you need to worry about, or prepare for.