The whole internet is a reality bubble in that most sites know what we read and give us more of the same. Google and Facebook are the biggest creators of the reality bubble, but everyone does it to some degree. Because, eyeballs. Analytics and click rates and robots, oh my.

Personally, I have no problem reading people I disagree with. As you point out, it often gives us insights we wouldn’t have otherwise.

The only part I disagree with is the “names will never hurt me” muscle. That’s a fallacy. Name calling and personal attacks are verbal abuse and they do hurt us unless we have a mental health issue that renders us immune to other people’s words. There’s plenty of sound research to show that verbal abuse hurts us and leaves scars no less than physical abuse.

As for people I consider vile — I don’t really know any people like that. Not personally, anyway. Child rapists and such, sure. But among everyday people, I think people can ACT vile and SPEAK vile, but I don’t know that they’re really vile. We all bleed the same blood and cry the same tears. People who speak and act vile on the internet clearly have baggage that isn’t mine to deal with. Not my trip. Not my suitcase.

All I know is that words are to our brain what food is to our body. We are what we eat and I don’t want that crap in my head. It costs us nothing to let someone else retain their dignity. I prefer not to interact with people who can’t understand a concept that most children learn in kindergarten. You know?

P.S. Interesting to note that you disagreed with me, but in a manner that still invites conversation. No name calling, no insults, etc. That’s all I expect from people. No more, no less. :)