Angry town halls often reflect a ­situation where individuals are not effectively expressing their needs or finding ­constructive solutions during conflicts.

The “screaming and chaos” seen in some town halls demonstrates a lack of productive communication and ­problem-solving.

Instead of channelling anger into ­clarifying needs and planning actions, it can lead to unproductive outbursts.

Increased societal division and ­unproductive discourse can ­significantly fuel anger, both individually and ­collectively.

Selective media consumption and echo chambers contribute to this phenomenon by limiting exposure to diverse perspectives and fostering animosity towards those with opposing views.

This can lead to a cycle of anger where individuals feel justified in their outrage, potentially leading to aggression and further division.

Pushback against division refers to resistance or opposition to efforts that create or exacerbate divisions within a society, community, or organization.

This resistance can manifest in various forms, including: active counter-arguments, policy changes, and efforts to promote unity and inclusion.

Danielle Smith and Pierre Poilievre should not be surprised that they are losing connection with citizens.

Discourse is directed at them, as they fail in othering people who think or live differently than they envision.

They have spent too much time and energy presenting what is broken, they have missed the solutions to those problems. John Rustad should be taking notes.

William Perry

Victoria

Yes, what we need downtown is more accessible, clean and people-friendly washrooms.

They are needed for old people, tourists, children and generally anyone who goes downtown and doesn’t live there.

Yes, keep the trees and the art in Centennial Square and make the seats around the fountain more comfortable again.

As they were when I was a young hippy who would go there with my young son, not because I was homeless but because I wanted to hang out with other young people.

We can keep the fountain and art and make the pond around available for small children to play in. There is no point in making everything the same as every other city.

Yes, drugs can make people act........

© Times Colonist