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Why has civility nearly disappeared in our culture, and how can we encourage its return?

The culture in the United States has become very divided on so many issues, and the ability to have a civil discussion seems to have almost disappeared. People holding an opposite perspective from our own are often demonized and viewed as the enemy. Discussions often degenerate into name-calling and belittling and personal attacks. How can we encourage a return to civility, so that we can all come together and discuss the issues in a reasonable and calm manner, even though we might hold drastically differing positions on those issues?

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ArishMell · 70-79, M

It's not confined to the USA. Look what's happening in France at the moment - a rather extreme example, I grant you.

DarksBane points to events in 1800, to show that it's not new either; but modern communications - and not only the (Anti-?)Social Media but also the frantic desire for instant answers all the time via news reports and punditry - have made it far easier to go on the attack without any courtesy, analysis or thought of consequences.

Even the slang-rich language of the Internet chat-group is aggressive:
"Type 'xxx' and hit Enter" - not "Press" or "Select".
"Hit me up" / "Hit on" - not "Contact", "Text" or "Send PM."