It'd be nice to see more discussion and banter amongst tech users on social media, and less hateful or sarcastic comments and ad hominem attacks.

This might not be as prevalent or toxic as political or faith-based conflict, but it's still an issue.

Because people that cannot conduct themselves properly on more trivial matters are more likely to act inappropriately in more serious situations.

Everyone wants to believe that they are right and that their team is the best. We've invested so much time and money into supporting our team that we become zealots, incapable of seeing the flaws and shortcomings in our own beliefs and teams, or the merit in opposing beliefs and teams.

People are prone to confirmation bias: they seek out information to confirm their pre-existing beliefs, whilst avoiding or ignoring information that challenges or conflicts with their beliefs. We do this because it's significantly easier and more rewarding to reinforce our current viewpoints than it is to challenge them, or to simply accept that we have incomplete information and that we just don't know everything.

You don't want to feel like you made the wrong choice or spent years believing something that wasn't true, because being wrong is painful. By mocking people that use or believe something else, we justify our choices and ensure ourselves that we are indeed part of the superior class.

The internet has made it easier to engage with like-minded individuals, to debate and discuss in order to seek truth; but also to indoctrinate, spread misinformation, and attack others.

We love to feel part of a community - it's an integral part of being a healthy, well-rounded human. But when people attach their identity to their team, it can result in unnecessary, toxic conflict.

Find something better to do.