Couldn't have said it better myself.

I just came across this comment on TED.com.  I think it's brilliant.  I'm sometimes guilty myself of what the author says.

Also I'm wondering why so many people on here find it necessary to attempt to belittle each other and prove intellectual awesomeness. It's absurd how often I read comments suggesting someone else is just a complete retard and they don't even deserve to be listened to. We all have different influences and experiences in our lives so of course we have different information in our brains that we can draw from. Even if someone's argument seems crazy to you, maybe that's because you don't fully understand it. Maybe the other person is having trouble expressing their beliefs. Some people are better then others in debates, or with words in general. Make an effort to understand other people instead of just taking what is written as all there is to it. Both sides make this same mistake. Many people are on this site to learn. Some people are on here to find selected videos that support their current beliefs. Some people get sucked into the "I'm smarter than you" competitions and lose site of what matters. If you don't agree with someone, at least make the effort to fully understand why they believe what they believe. People rarely ask questions, and most of the questions that do get asked are undeservedly condescending. If we are seeking improvement and ultimately truth, then we should be seriously interested in opposing viewpoints. If my questions were ignorant, I'm sorry I'm not perfect, please don't attack me. 

(Taken from http://www.ted.com/talks/alexander_tsiaras_conception_to_birth_visualized.html?awesm=on.ted.com_A9OG&utm_campaign=alexander_tsiaras_conception_to_birth_visualized&utm_medium=on.ted.com-twitter&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_content=ted.com-talkpage    the author's name is Tim Walinga)

I guess maybe a solution to this is to pose questions more often than we make statements, in response to the ideas and beliefs of others.  Rather than coming out with 'that's ridiculous', consider a gentler way of approaching the subject.  That's not to water down the truth at all.  I'm not suggesting that we should kowtow to everyone, merely that sometimes conducting a discussion with respect might be more productive than smashing an argument to smithereens and destroying the relationship in the process.