Is it necessary to disagree with alternate points of views or observations and experiences without actually understanding your disagreement?

I’m sorry you’ve had this experience. I think this is where the term “troll” comes from? If a person responds anonymously to a point of view in a discussion on social media and doesn’t identify themselves I have a hard time talking that person seriously. Especially on Rally Point where-in my experience-it seems that most discussions are respectful. I would respect the fact that you wrote a book. That is enough-even if I disagree with you-to give due deference to your opinion. If I’m not going to write a book I would think I would at least read one before adamantly disagreeing with it.

Don't sweat it. Another "Anonymous" didn't like one of my responses and pontificated all sorts of commentary on what I supposedly said. Problem is none of his words came close to matching mine, save one taken out of context. So if you take a look at the trend, it appears some users read whatever meaning into a post they want and then fire back. Inaccurate reading nets inaccurate understanding, hence inaccurate response. Others decide early that somehow you don't "qualify", hence aren't worth the read. Don't take it personally. RP membership, like anything else, is on a Bell Curve. You'll get some things you consider rather off the wall. However, sometimes you get stuff from the fringe that makes you rethink. I'd rather the fringe be there and I'll filter accordingly. Social media can provide both reward and frustration in unbalanced quantities.

I don't think you should have an opinion without understanding at least your own point of view. This is a huge problem with this nation today; people love to latch on to a side withoit even understanding what they are supporting. It is ridiculous.