Great analogy, Steve.

The cogent dialogue you are asking for cannot take place when constant, concerted and sophisticated manipulations are keeping the peasants disturbed, distracted and divided.

When average attention spans have decreased from 12 seconds in 2000 to 8.25 seconds in 2017, putting us behind the goldfish at 9 seconds, then your most important of messages might be lost in the orchestrated din.

So who's keeping us from each other?

You ably point them out. It seems to always come down to the sociopathic ministrations of the ruling class and the minions willing to do their dirty work.

And short of a peasant's revolt, I fear that we will continue to follow false prophets in wars against our neighbours, chanting simplistic slogans and savaging those who dare to challenge the new orthodoxy.

Education. Critical thinking. Listening.

Jung thought lucid dreams were whispers to the self.

Wouldn't that be a worthy dream, one in which we whispered to each other?

Force us to lean in a little closer, increase our attention spans so we can beat out a goldfish and learn to 'function and co-exist with our alters'.