"You rarely hear opposing factions talking to each other in a gentle, curious... manner." For writer Jon Ronson, that is what the culture wars are all about. 

He is not the first to point out that we live in deeply divided times. Most people blame social media for this. But Ronson thinks it goes much further back than this. In his new podcast series, Things Fell Apart, he hunts for the origins of the culture wars. He thinks he has found them in 1970s America. 

At the time, many traditional values were under attack. Homosexuality and abortion were decriminalised. It was easier for couples to divorce. Women and girls won more rights.

For some Christians, this was the end of society as they knew it. In the late 1970s and early 80s, they found a way to fight back: satellite TV. 

Ronson thinks this was a big moment in the culture wars. It was the first time technology was used to display beliefs in this way. 

Today, social media has taken its place. But Ronson thinks this is about to change. He says we are learning to be kinder to others when we do not agree. 

But some think he is wrong. They say disagreeing and having a strong opinion is important. 

Divisions exist, so why not argue about them? They ask. If we want to solve them, we have to go back, find out why there are deep conflicts and fix them that way. 

Still more say Ronson is worrying about nothing. Social media can be cruel, but in real life, people can disagree without ripping each other apart. 

Yes: Conflict is exhausting and counter-productive. If we want to get on, we have to find better ways of listening to each other and debating freely. 

No: We are arguing a lot. But we are arguing over what matters. It is more important to disagree sometimes if we are fighting for justice.  

Or... We should not exaggerate the impacts of the culture wars. Most people are not arguing too much. In fact, they are barely taking an interest in these issues at all.