Practicing not fighting on the Internet.
It doesn't happen often, but sometimes somebody makes a post here on Bear Blog that I totally hate.
Maybe I think their analysis of politics is not very good, or they're making some harsh judgements about a field of work or study they (in my estimation) don't really understand. Maybe they're painting with a very broad brush and their worldview is just too limited or depressed to really back up their statements (in my opinion).
Since this is a social network of a sort, it is very tempting to make a post entitled "Re: Opinion That Extremely Sucks" and fill the text with "This is why you are wrong: a detailed argument, with bullet points!"
This is not really how you would behave in real life; though I disagree with people all the time, and will tell them so, this is usually only when my input is necessary, like at work, or when input is requested, either directly, or if the conversation goes on so long they really are kind of asking for input whether they realize that or not. You can't shut out confrontation entirely in real life, and you shouldn't, but frankly it also happens a lot less there.
I think the Internet distorts our relationship with conflict. Fighting online feels like second nature. In response people put up all kinds of moderation walls which are entirely justified to be able to exist in peace but then you notice people who spend a lot of time in heavily moderated online spaces flounder when people in real life disagree with them politely. It feels like an attack. Likewise in heavily unmoderated spaces (and this is where I've spent a lot of time) a good offense is a good defense, you attack to head off attacks. You write in the defensive, ironic tone Redditors adopt anticipating the sarcastic responses they'll get if they don't.
I just want to be normal.
So when people are WRONG, WRONG ON THE INTERNET I am going to practice saying nothing at all.
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This post was last edited 13 hours, 12 minutes ago.
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