I don't know really what normal or abnormal is really. All I know most of the dialog and discourse I hear or read in the news has nothing to do with my viewpoint or values. It's just always an excuse to bicker, become indignant, and sink into 'us' vs. 'them'. If it was up to me we'd be discussing whole different priorities and visions... but I guess I'm naive like that.
peace out
Hey @clumsysilverdad. That's a really thought provoking point of view. I can relate to your observations. I find myself disconnecting with both the material and the priorities that seem to dominate discourse. As for values... well I feel increasingly isolated in my views and I don't think that's a reflection of me, although it's so hard to accurately self-evaluate.
The us-vs-them is very identifiable and I don't recall the social fabric always being that way. Perhaps we're just in "that part" of a larger cycle that life undergoes. Ends of empires are never clean and I feel we're in a transition out of one and into another right now.
Thanks for your thoughtful contributions as always.