It is all very good to argue and be argumentative. But a lot of what we argue about, especially on digital forums and social media, comes from half-baked news and information and an appalling lack of interest in reading fully about something, by going beyond Google. How many of us can claim to be reasonably well-read on history, culture, law or religion — some of the topics that are causing so much angst? And because we do not know enough — the arguments begin and end with abusing a person, questioning their motives, religion, anything but that person’s stand or the issue. This is hardly a debate — it is just digital vitriol.

The book launch of TN Ninan’s The Turn of the Tortoise. Arun Shourie (left) got the most laughs because he took the government apart with a rustic manner that is very becoming. Pic/Twitter