mutter another into stunned silence

A per chance listening in on a conversation leading to the desire to play mediator or arbitrator in a situation where it is pretty obvious the next words spoken, will make or break whatever is to happen next.

Why is it that even with the knowledge that a kind word or acknowledgement will appease the others anger, one cares not to back down....even when ones point of view may be flawed, and worse, when the desire is simply to be derogatory.
Are our egos so big that the price paid for pigheaded stubbornness is worth more than saving a situation, being the peacemaker and going forward to greener pastures not rewarding enough.

An individualistic point of view where nothing matters except the self, sometimes a kind humility or softness of emotion but, even in those moments, it is a selfish motive of self satisfaction rather than the care for another.
The need to have the last word. Those that suffer from the delusion that they have the upper hand because they have continued to mutter another into stunned silence with their stupid stubbornness.

How is it then possible that a conversation ripe , conversation debatable, a conversation informative and mainly...a conversation sharing can take place.
How humans have cocooned themselves into self importance...a rigid adherence to the din of their voice speaking.

To listen, to hear....how many of us know what that means

....or...

 is it rather a case of selective hearing.

RB.