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When I joined this platform a few months ago, I thought I& #39;d never use the "block" button. Told myself I was here to get a broad view of what (all) people are saying and thinking, and so blocking people would be counterproductive.
But I& #39;ve just blocked about five accounts...
But I& #39;ve just blocked about five accounts...
Political tribalism - the tendency to define an "us" and "them" and remain vocally loyal without ever considering the possibility that one is wrong - seems to be rife on this platform and in our national political discourse.
People are so committed to political tribalism that they go to pretty bizarre lengths to be quite awful to "them", to the people they regard as the enemy, the our group.
Example: anonymous profiles that make baseless accusations about people and try to impugn their characters
Example: anonymous profiles that make baseless accusations about people and try to impugn their characters
Why would people go to such lengths to attack others, and to do it anonymously? What are they scared of? What are they trying to prove? Do they hope to change minds? Do they consider themselves above having to do the hard work of giving reasons for their points of view?
It& #39;s a personal ethic of mine that when I encounter an argument I cannot defeat and when clear facts betray my beliefs as false, I change my mind.
Over the past 10 years I have radically changed my mind about a number of things when people convinced me I was wrong.
Over the past 10 years I have radically changed my mind about a number of things when people convinced me I was wrong.
I have, for example, held about three radically different political ideologies in that time.
Each time I changed my mind was because I became more convinced of the counter-arguments than my own. And I felt good about getting closer to the truth.
Each time I changed my mind was because I became more convinced of the counter-arguments than my own. And I felt good about getting closer to the truth.
I& #39;m still open to having my mind changed. On just about anything.
But that& #39;s not going to happen through people slandering me and calling me names and trying to threaten my job. In fact, I think most people are far less likely to reconsider anything in those circumstances.
But that& #39;s not going to happen through people slandering me and calling me names and trying to threaten my job. In fact, I think most people are far less likely to reconsider anything in those circumstances.
So back to why I& #39;ve chosen to change my policy about the block button.
First, having to listen to cowards behind fake profiles who are unwilling to argue their points of view but more than willing to be shitty and defamatory undermines my aims of getting closer to the truth.
First, having to listen to cowards behind fake profiles who are unwilling to argue their points of view but more than willing to be shitty and defamatory undermines my aims of getting closer to the truth.
Ironically, I have to censor some voices in order to be able to have my own point of view challenged.
Secondly, it& #39;s just really unpleasant being subjected to baseless attacks on one& #39;s character, especially when there& #39;s always the risk that the online mob will choose you as their next victim. Self-preservation is a fair reason to do most things.
Finally, indulging the trolls gives them power. And giving them power further diminishes the quality of our public discourse.
There are so many problems in this country, so many challenges to solve. We need good quality conversations and debates to find the right answers.
There are so many problems in this country, so many challenges to solve. We need good quality conversations and debates to find the right answers.
And so, in light of this final reason, I& #39;d encourage others to block the trolls, too. Speak to people who are able to think, consider and maybe change their minds.
Leave the political tribalists and cyber bullies to dismantle themselves while the rest of us talk like adults.
Leave the political tribalists and cyber bullies to dismantle themselves while the rest of us talk like adults.
Apologies for the rambling and somewhat unstructured flow of thoughts in this thread. Thanks for putting up with it and reading till the end if you have 
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