I don’t argue or “debate” online. Most online back-and-forth feels pointless and often intentionally inflammatory or in bad faith. I read all the replies I receive, but I rarely respond.
I (try to) only interact with positivity.
If someone posts a thread along the lines of “Which album/movie/book/whatever do you hate, even though every one else loves it”, I’ll scroll on, despite my worst instincts wanting to dive in to see if people hate something I love. I know why people post like that; because engagement on negatvity is always higher. But I feel like every time I engage with content like that, it makes me a little more cynical. I’m done being cynical, the world around me has more than enough already.
If someone pops up in my replies being a dick, I’ll just mute, block or ignore them. Life’s too short to spend it trying to lower cortisol levels.
Basically, the internet is already negative enough, so I try not to add to it.
Assume everything you post is gonna be there forever.
Corollary: Don’t assume you’ll have access to your accounts forever.
I’m almost the exact opposite. I like arguing online. I think it’s because of me being gigantic IRL that people don’t honestly argue with me. Online, I’m just pixels on a screen and people will call me out on my bullshit.
Different strokes for different folk.
My one rule is to post pictures of Furryosa if she claws me that day.
Same, but I’m not gigantic and I also love to “argue” IRL. It’s easier IRL too (as a non gigantic guy, ofc 😅), because people can feel your good vibes and friendly disposition and will more comfortably engage even through disagreements.
Name checks out and I’m also immediately curious to ask about it 😆
Believing in God and yapping/arguing are big parts of my life. 🤷😅
Turn off JavaScript by default, and then allow JS through piecemeal using an extension like NoScript. You’d be surprised how much of the internet is still accessible and cleaned up without it, and when you do let JS through, you have a good idea of who’s collecting your data and even a good guess as to specifically why.
Support people who are trying, even if they’re not there yet. Only give criticism if it’s specifically being asked for. Admittedly I mostly apply this to individuals, if it’s some big group or company I’m less hesitant to be more harsh and critical though I still try to remain constructive and tactful
What do you mean you dont argue or “debate” online? Whats that supossed to mean? YOU THINK YOU’RE BETTER THAN ME?!"
Lurk first, then respond. You might find more context in the replies.
And to add to that, always read the comments. There could be corrections or other pertinent info there
- Be positive
- Don’t let anything negative get to you
- It’s not my duty to convince anyone. If they hold a stupid position, don’t try to debate
- when making conversation, bail once they start treating it as an argument they need to win
- OPs mom is fair game
Debates go two ways. If you’re not willing to listen to the other person with at least some politeness, you’re not debating and it makes it hard to take you seriously.
Get mad at everyone. Take it all seriously. If you stop caring deeply you lose.
everything’s made up and the points don’t matter.
Every debate I tried to engage was poisoned by immature people trying to be cunning instead of bringing productive arguments.
That sounds like a constant pain.
Remember that 90% of what is said online is said by complete oddballs because nobody will talk to them in real life and they have all the time in the world to post on the Internet.
And the more extreme the view, the more sock puppets these oddballs will have to try to convince you that their fucked up view of the world is actually normal.
IRL I almost never, ever meet people who are obsessed with politics, or people who are extremists like Nazis or communists. Online, they’re all over the place and it is not remotely normal. Same goes for chronic pot heads who are vehemently anti-smoking cigarettes. You don’t meet that kind of bizarro-world health nuttery offline. Or people who think that people who have outdoor cats are pure evil and should be put in prison.
Extremism like this in general is not at all normal offline. But online it seems like it is. It is not.
Everyone is a liar.
Starting with that premise works well.
Remember EVERYONE has a voice, everyone contains very dumb people.
