The art of persuasion has been thoroughly trounced by polemic in public debate. Online, in comments sections, in staccato bursts of hate and attack, in the citing of feelings over facts, we see people shoving pillows over divergent views and trying to stop them being aired at all. When was the last time you were stopped in your tracks by a piece of logic that shifted your thinking on something important?

Studies show that on social media, we are much more likely to seek out and promote views that converge with our own and shout down those that differ, even though they might be genuinely held. Which is dangerous, ugly, and ultimately counter-productive.

The growing anger online about just simply having to listen to different opinions is increasingly apparent. Credit:File photo

As the host of a current affairs panel show on the ABC, where we work hard to present diverse views, faces, voices and cultures as well as expertise and authority on fistfuls of subjects daily, the growing anger from some of our online audience about just simply having to listen to different opinions is increasingly apparent.

And yes, The Drum’s audience share overall has been steadily increasing so I am not saying people are turning off as a consequence, but that they are raging louder in the expectation that we should only ever cheer at the television. Who cares if you jeer? The point is to prosecute and defend your views in public, then others might follow. You can’t just yell that people are wrong.