> Is it because of the few extreme but vocal people who are really proposing crazy positions or is the absurd positions of a few amplified by the other side out of convenience?
..both ?
If extremism in some members of a community or social group is not vehemently rejected by that community it quickly becomes their face to the outside, because the extremist elements are also usually the loudest ones. But "gotta stay together" or else "the enemy" will win!
At the same time, if "the enemy" is giving your ammo to shoot them with why on earth you wouldn't use it?
> if "the enemy" is giving your ammo to shoot them with why on earth you wouldn't use it?
Hopefully because you have self restraint and are able to see that every group of a certain size has at least one irrational member? There's nothing in holding even most extreme political views that precludes trading others with human decency.
..both ?
If extremism in some members of a community or social group is not vehemently rejected by that community it quickly becomes their face to the outside, because the extremist elements are also usually the loudest ones. But "gotta stay together" or else "the enemy" will win!
At the same time, if "the enemy" is giving your ammo to shoot them with why on earth you wouldn't use it?