Self-Defence Through Humour

APPEAL TO THE HIVEMIND: Would there have been a way of using humour constructively when this social media thread started to go wrong...?
On a large neighbourhood Facebook group, someone posts excitedly about a new Waitrose being opened in the local high street. There is a rush of jubilant comments and likes, with lots of people saying what good news it is.
Then a further string of comments emerge saying that the shop will usher in gentrification and isn’t something to be cel...ebrated - it just means more facilities for rich people whilst poor people are edged out.
The thread starts to get quite tense and polarised. The tone becomes defensive and issues of violent crime are brought in as a counterpoint to issues of gentrification. Everyone seems to be talking past each other and emotions run high. The valid points are getting lost as people get into a ‘win/lose’ mindset, and it is clearly stressful for some of the people involved.
Would there have been a way of using humour to help people connect better in this situation?
What could the ‘we love Waitrose’ people have said to shift the dynamic?
What could the ‘Waitrose means gentrification’ people have said?
Or is this a situation where humour could have no place?
All ideas welcome!
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