call me odd, but I don’t think bullies get to decide that what they’re doing isn’t bullying because they don’t want to accept that they’re being mean. it’s still bullying.

this isn’t referencing anything specifically, but rather a deeply concerning trend on this godforsaken website of people taking immense pleasure in destroying other people’s lives.

I love Twitter - it’s my main source of news and memes, it’s enabled me to meet lots of new people, it helps me stay in touch with friends. However, the way people interact on this website has genuinely made me consider deactivating.

I try keep myself fairly distant from drama and fighting. I literally do not have the hours in my day to spend time tearing someone I don’t even know into shreds. However, I also don’t feel comfy not calling out some of this behaviour for what it is - bullying, plain and simple.

like, yis do realise that targeted harassment campaigns can *actually* ruin lives? relationships, careers, mental health etc?

I swear, the concept of just letting people live in peace and not having to comment on every single thing you see seems to be dead.

there have been situations I’ve seen on Twitter that I have disagreed with. there are people I encounter on this website that I think are fundamentally wrong. I’ve been subjected to it myself.

I don’t feel compelled to go to extreme lengths to decimate their lives.

there is a difference between “calling out” (another phrase I’m now increasingly uncomfortable with) blatant racism, homophobia, transphobia, etc. and shredding someone to pieces for having a difference of opinion from yourself.

no one’s opinions are 100% correct/gospel.

maybe we’re all just spending far too much time online. maybe the past year has just taken too much of a toll. but there is a really serious problem of people not being able to respect differences of opinion, or see nuance in any situation. it’s worrying.

and don’t even get me STARTED on people who dress up their bullying as “activism”. that truly drives me up the wall.