I wonder if it's because of the Internet making the world a global village. In a village in the old days there were probably discussions about people as well, and if there were disagreements where people took sides, it surely got debated, disturbing their dinners and maybe even their work.

Maybe back then villagers had to stop arguing at one point and get back to work, otherwise they'd not have anything to eat that day, and when you have to work together, you see this guy you've been arguing with but is now pulling his weight isn't such an asshole after all.

I wonder if there's always been 2 realities, nowadays there are people who believe Trump is still draining the swamp and is making great deals, and (with overlap) that Obama is a Kenyan Terrorist.