Debates in the same room could get heated and messy too, not always some perfect connection. Honestly, people tune out or talk over each other just as much in person. Maybe typing things out online lets people actually think before they speak. I'm not totally sold that the old way was automatically better.
Try mixing both ways. Text for the heavy stuff so no one says something dumb in the heat of the moment, but save the lighter talks for face to face. It keeps things from blowing up.