Jerry 🦙💝🦙Jun 28, 2023

I feel like I shouldn’t have to say this, but here we are.

If you get into a disagreement with someone here or for whatever reason the person you’re messaging with asks you to disengage, just stop. I’ve been around since the dawn of online arguments and I’ve never seen a person realize the error of their ways because someone was trolling and/or being an asshole to them in the replies.

If someone asks you to stop, stop. If they block you, take a cue from Elsa and Let It Go. Don’t find alternate ways to continue engaging. I’m sure it the parting shot feels good, or you think you have the perfect reply to help them see the reality of a situation, but it isn’t so.

Please, just stop and think: AITA in this situation?

Show threadJerry 🦙💝🦙Jun 28, 2023

That post about disengaging got a LOT of comments. I can’t respond to them all, so doing it here:

There is pretty bright line between holding a politician or other public figure to account for bad policy decisions and harassing someone in the comments section of a website. I don’t know how this can be confusing. I don’t know everything though, so I can’t discount that I’m wrong.

There is a difference between arguing toward a resolution of a disagreement and harassing someone in the comments of a website after they’ve asked for the engagement to stop. The former is how we advance civilization, the latter is YouTube comments. I also feel quite confident that the comments section harassment hasn’t changed someone’s mind to the way of the harasser.

Yes, someone publicly announcing their are blocking you is not the best way to handle things, but that doesn’t make it acceptable to find an alternate means to continue engaging the person, rather it’s a good indication that you really should also block the person and move on with your life.

Yes, I agree that it is ridiculous that some people will post an opinion publicly and then complain that any replies they don’t like are “reply guys”.

Yes, I agree that if someone posts that the sky is blue and you reply that the sky can be gray on cloudy days and a beautiful orange during cloudy sunsets and then immediately reports your post is not appropriate.

It’s really not that hard to be civilized. I do think other social media platforms have primed many people for confrontational engagements.

Show threadthese machines will destroy US.Jun 28, 2023
@jerry I think the biggest problem is when the line is crossed from the topic being discussed to directly insulting the person. Unfortunately we live in a time where if you can’t soundly win an argument or discussion you go for insults. Media is telling us this is OK, politicians are doing it. It’s not OK. It’s childish and uncivil. Let’s be better.
Show threadMr. MustacheJun 28, 2023

@cienmilojos @jerry

My only codicil is if you aren’t trying to debate them because they are a bad actor of some variety, instead you are showing observers that said individual can be stood up to or you are countering their disinformation.

The internet has proven that we cannot afford nor allow bad actors to spread hate or disinformation unchallenged. Said individuals have a vested interest in NOT being publicly challenged or humiliated. So sometimes you HAVE to be uncivil.

Show threadthese machines will destroy US.
@mstrmustache @jerry a swift boot off the platform works for this. Remove the soapbox and remove the power. Really not interested in the collateral damage or all the noise caused by that type of event. That’s just me though.
Jun 28, 2023 at 6:06pmWeb
Show threadMr. MustacheJun 28, 2023

@cienmilojos @jerry

Oh a swift boot is one of the better answers but that requires someone with the power and the will to exercise it. Lacking that, they must be challenged.