> Maybe it’s because the education system has failed at critical thinking

Sure, education can improve things. But this is a problem even worse outside the United States, so it's hard to blame it on a single education system.

It’s not just the education system. It’s our structures of information that are based on engagement (to drive ad-revenue) instead of value to the reader.

And this is something Freenet actually solves to some degree. Because it had to. This is why in Freenet we know the Zen of Tolerance: https://www.draketo.de/politik/random-babcom#the-zen-of-tole...

- You are entitled to voice your opinion.

- You are not entitled to force it upon everyone.

- You are not entitled to force it upon a subgroup repeatedly.

- You are also not entitled to hurl hate towards participants, since that would disrupt communication.

- If you cannot stay respectful and friendly after being asked to, I will unsee you and advise others to do the same with a clear and brief explanation, so they can take an informed decision.