we insist that our geniuses be likable

Yes, but no longer untouchable or unchallengeable.

I too have been thinking about how we converse in this day of internet age, not just in person, such as around the dinner table, but also online. Particularly it have been interesting comparing between post-internet and now, as the internet is one of the bigger game changers to conversation thus far. Especially seen from globalization and knowledge perspectives.

The three variants I believe is in most need of being redefined is Debate, Discussion and Dialogue. From my own reasoning I think we simply haven't understood and adjusted accordingly to how those three, thanks to online, now is something far different than compared to 20+ years ago.