@evan Yes, but. When I've had a conversation and then been blocked, I've often wished that the person would tell me why, or offer me a chance to apologise. Maybe the other person is right and I'm wrong; maybe I've said something that, on reflection, I regret.

Muting I think is less serious: sometimes it's just someone wanting a pause, which is perfectly reasonable.

If there's someone you just don't want to read, generally not following suffices, but sometimes a quiet block is the solution.