You aren't the first to have this criticism. I don't suspect that I can persuade you that you are wrong, but my reasoning behind the functionality here is largely inspired by interactions IRL. That is, the people that I engage with in are those I tend to get along with, and those that I continue to seek to associate with. The people that I engage IRL don't share all of my views, but we almost always have an overlap of one or more sort of interest, aesthetic, or opinion. Although I think it's a noble ideal, I haven't found people that remain associates IRL that have nothing in common beyond the desire to discuss things. Also, when I don't enjoy someone's company, or if they are rude or dismissive, I don't interact with them.

I'm not saying that what happens here is the only kind of valuable interaction on the internet. But in order to have the types of discussions that we do have, options akin to those you have IRL are necessary. It might be an unfortunate fact, but it is a fact. It is a trade off, and it does come with limitations. Trust me, I'd love to have our cake and eat it too; we have tried.

I do wish that people would use these mute less than they do. You and I have disagreed in the past, and I have never felt the need to mute you. Doing so wouldn't enhance my experience. It would make it worse.