Political polarization in the U.S. has reached an alarming level. We have reached the point of fearing an honest conversation.

Most Americans — 61 percent of adults, according to a Pew poll from earlier this year — say talking politics with people they disagree with is now “stressful and frustrating.”

Say what?

We have the best economy in the world. People around the world dream of coming to America. Why can’t we talk about that?

I can go on. We can also talk about how our companies, especially our tech firms, set the standard for innovation. Or about how our music and movies are best-sellers across the globe. Or about how our military is the world's mightiest. Or about how we have the best colleges and universities.

Something is clearly going right in our country. Yet we can’t talk to each other about public affairs?

Harvard Professor Robert Putnam pointed to early warning signs of grudges and grievances silencing talk among Americans in his 2000 book, "Bowling Alone." He noted declining participation in group activities such as going to church, bowling leagues and scouting. Not every American man has to serve in the military.

As a result, Americans today have fewer shared experiences — across generations, races and social classes. The lack of people getting together is the main driver of our political dysfunction.

And now Putnam’s red light is accompanied by sirens due to one added factor — the rise of social media.

What can we do about it?

Pope........

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