Banned is a bit of hyperbole. But it’s clear as day that most of the third places have evaporated over the years. You can blame some of it on economics, but there are prominent right wingers who have talked about changing the language so average Americans from different political systems aren’t able to have a civil conversations anymore, and the need to shut down third places that serve as a melting pot for ideas.

When I was a child, I distinctly remember many occasions where family or friends would meet and discuss policy… not politicians, actual policy in a civil way. Now those discussions don’t happen, try to talk to a Conservative and see how long you can talk about policy before they bring up Trump, Pelosi or some other figure head.