We no longer have Truly Free Speech - We Traded it for Social Media Monologs

The future many my age envisioned and now live in is not that bad. Granted there appears to be more incivility than when we were young, and there are many concerned that the United States is at a breaking point... but that believe that appearance may be because of the same social media that allows so many of us to pleasantly connect with pictures of food, fun and family.

When some cranky person got mad in the 50s, and up to the 90s, they could only reach a handful of people so their anger - their wrath was buffered by distance and often limited in audience to people within their local community or bar. But now they can share it with hundreds to thousands with a few keystrokes, and only hear their side should they choose.
From my perspective we are living in the future we, as children, envisioned (well except for flying cars). All the wonder that was written in newspapers and books and illustrations... we have them now and science that allows cancer victims (like me) who had a 99% fatal rate in 1960) to be alive and enjoying grandchildren today.
Yes - there is great division within the United States today and far less civility, but I believe that it is because of social media.
People talk of all the killings and argue about the 2nd amendment. and that is a discussion worth truly having. But for me it is the 1st amendment that is the weapon killing our civility and ability to properly 'chat' today. With less frequency do we look into the eyes of the person (or people) with whom we speak and see their body language as we talk. With less frequency do we sit across from each other and hear the stress, anxiety or fear in their voice as we talk about an issue. We cannot use our full 5 senses when we communicate via social media and therefore do not see the passion for a cause, or the pain of a loss, sincerity for their beliefs, and fears, or other factors that may be driving them. Without these human clues as part of our conversation we lose our ability to fully see their side - their perspective. We lose empathy.
There are few people more for free speech than I am, but I fear this expanded use of social media has taken our truly Free Speech away and removed us from true dialog to mostly monolog - like I am doing now. It also allows us to get 'likes' which makes us feel better about ourself and view while we can attack those who oppose us without repercussions and rebuttal often supported by anonymous angry people that prevent us from LISTENING to another opinion.
Instead of attempting to understand (not necessarily relent) we hunker down with our often anonymous 'friends'. we don't research the others' views because it is easier and more comfortable within the blanket of shared opinion.
But I have monologed and digress...
It is a beautiful world and people are mostly good. I believe that. We just need to re-learn to listen - truly listen - to them with civility.