Augie Ray
I posted about #COVID19 on LinkedIn. A stranger replied to imply vaccines were dangerous, even though I didn't even mention vaxes in my post! He shared a study that found rare risks with COVID vaccines. All vaccines have risks, but hundreds of studies find the benefits outweigh the risks. So, I blocked him. He hunted me down here to ask me to unblock him. I won't--my block wasn't punitive. It was my small way to prevent him from continuing to spread harmful disinformation. Am I right or wrong?
Jan 4, 2025 at 3:50pmWeb
Show threadChris @ 🦣Jan 4, 2025

@augieray Many people conflate “free speech” with “speech which is free from consequences”.

You are of course in the right here.

Show threadStoneface VimesJan 4, 2025
@tenzochris @augieray yes, spot on. Freedom to speak does include the obligation upon anyone else to listen to you.
Show threadNazaniJan 4, 2025
@augieray
It's pointless to engage with stupid.
Show threadSamyJan 4, 2025
@augieray You are not obligated to let someone use your reach to spread harmful content (or any content, really). Block and don’t engage. That’s the only way.
Show threadein kleines zJan 4, 2025
@augieray
I think you can always block whomever you want. The question is why he feels entitled to have access to your content and your attention. It's not like that's some service he paid for. And I think he's being creepy for hunting you down after he realized that you didn't wish to continue having contact with him on LinkdIn. That's another reason to block him, while your first reason already was a very good and understandable one.
Show threadAugie RayJan 4, 2025
@kleines_z He seemed to think my block would hurt his access to others' information. And, if he gets blocked enough, he's right. But that's on him, not me.
Show threadein kleines zJan 4, 2025
@augieray
I mean, he had access to your information before, and still he posted misinformation underneath it. And I think having that kind of misinformation attached to your posts in the replies is harmful. He could have removed it. But I guess he did not.
Show threadAugie RayJan 4, 2025
@kleines_z I could've removed it, too, but I chose to respond and let others see his reply and my factual response.
Show threadLappenjammerJan 4, 2025
@augieray He's good old sea lioning, isn't he? You're good to respond and then block.
Show threadRyan RandallJan 4, 2025

@augieray Not wrong at all.

False claims like that are the microplastics of information; you're doing everyone connected to your account a favor by banning him.

Show thread@[email protected]Jan 4, 2025
@augieray 100% right.
Show threadJohn GordonJan 4, 2025
@augieray I’ll be the exception. I think of blocks as a necessary evil to be applied with sadness. The amount of harm this person can do is trivial given the maelstrom ahead.
Show threadAugie RayJan 4, 2025
@jgordon I used to be sad. Now, I'm pretty matter of fact about it. But, perhaps I should explore how I feel about that a bit more . Thanks for the thoughtful response.
Show threadCraigJan 4, 2025

@augieray

No point in arguing with misinformation and lies. There is value in slowly the spread of them. My sister is anti-vax, and a lot of it stems from fear...a fear of a situation they have no control over. But they can assert power, imaginative as it may be, by saying the disease is just a cold but the vaccines are dangerous. Now they can ignore reality and feel safer. You cannot defeat this insular, self-protective shell with facts, because facts and reality are the thing they purposely shield themselves from. As this point in time, it's best to spread truth and hope that the deniers self-correct at some point, because we are well past being able to help them. That may sound jaded, but it is realistic.

Show threadStoneface VimesJan 4, 2025
@augieray it's exactly what I would have done.
Show threadTofueaterJan 4, 2025
@augieray 100% right. We're past the stage of trying to inform and persuade. The anti-vax campaign now have political power in their hands. It's about resistance and defending the vulnerable.
Show threadWinston SmithJan 4, 2025
@augieray right
Show threadMarvinJan 4, 2025
@augieray You are right.
Show threadGeorge DinwiddieJan 4, 2025

@augieray It's hard for me to view that choice as "right or wrong." With much time, effort, and skill, you MIGHT have convinced him otherwise.

The odds are likely against that outcome, though, and the costs to you high. What you did seems prudent.

Show threadAugie RayJan 4, 2025
@gdinwiddie That is a very valid point, but after five years of sharing COVID info and battling misinformation, my experience is that these people are not engaging to have a discussion. Nor are they available to be convinced. I've had too many battles to think I can sway those who won't be swayed, so I post information for those seeking accurate info and those who want their caution reinforced.
Show threadGeorge DinwiddieJan 4, 2025

@augieray Yes, the odds of actually engaging with a vaccine denier is low, especially online

I appreciate what the information you publish. It's been helpful to me.

Show threadGeorge DinwiddieJan 4, 2025
@augieray You might enjoy this shore video: https://bsky.app/profile/audaciouskay.bsky.social/post/3lew7z4iw4k2o
Bluesky

Bluesky Social
Show threadJokerJan 4, 2025
@augieray absolutely correct
Show threadDavid CrispinJan 4, 2025
@[email protected] he may have "free speech", you have "freedom" to block..
Show threadfritzoidsJan 4, 2025

@augieray

IMO people get to block for whatever reason they feel like.
You wouldn't let some people into your living room. You wouldn't continue a conversation with a stranger at the supermarket if it were unpleasant or just not what you wanted.
You are not obligated to explain your block or undo it to please anybody.
I sometimes feel bad after I blocked somebody based on vibes and then later, when it turns out my hunch was correct, I always feel such a relief. That has happened too often.

Show threadLappenjammerJan 4, 2025

@augieray I wish we could block disinformation this fast in real life too.

Sorry you have been hassled. You are right (and still good of you to check with us)

✊️😷

Show threadTom WalkerJan 4, 2025
@augieray Anyone who finds you by other means to dispute a block should be considered hostile and potentially even dangerous
Show threadStephen Bannasch (316 ppm)Jan 4, 2025

@augieray

Neither right or wrong — it’s entirely just your decision.

I also think blocking that person is very likely also performing a social good.

Show threadRichard W. Woodley ELBOWS UP 🇨🇦🌹🚴‍♂️📷 🗺️Jan 4, 2025

@augieray

Someone complaining about you exercising your right to block someone is as good a reason as any to block someone, especially since a reason is not required. It's your effin feed.

Show threadDarwin WoodkaJan 4, 2025

@augieray

Absolutely correct.

Show threadAlan Langford 🇨🇦🧤🧊摏Jan 4, 2025
@augieray Those people get blocked and reported. In this case I'm fine with punitive and consider these people as equivalent to accessories to murder.
Show threadVereeshJan 4, 2025
@augieray
Hunting you across platforms is deeply creepy and troubling. I hope this is the last you see of him, but watch out. There some icky folx running around out there. It's always OK to block people. Save your attention for your best interests.
Show threadWildflower01Jan 4, 2025
@augieray Why would he care if you blocked him? I certainly don't care who blocks me.
Show threadCookiefiendJan 4, 2025
@augieray Absolutely your right to block. And I think you're right to block as well. You don't owe anyone access to your page, your site, your forum, any more than you owe a stranger access to your home.
Show threadskryJan 5, 2025
@augieray Block. They need the feedback.
Show threadDaveOJan 5, 2025
@augieray You are right.