No one knows how to agree to disagree anymore

As a student in a prestigious American university majoring in the social sciences, you would think I am well-versed in argumentative conversation. You might imagine that our classes and lectures stir up fact-heavy debate and the free flow of ideas, with our professors acting as sage and impartial referees, prioritizing learning rather than sectarianism.

Unfortunately, if this is your image of higher academia, you are drastically mistaken.