I find it quite funny how people bring out the worst in themselves on the internet, obviously hiding like rats under anonymity, writing the worst things behind a screen. They say and express opinions that they would never dare to say or do in real life because they are cowards, fake, and liars.
Be a smart person and don't fall for their provocations.
It's nice to debate with other people even if you have different opinions, but when you resort to insults, you've lost decency and stooped low. If someone insults you instead of debating respectfully, then ignore them; they are not worth your attention and energy.
Don't waste your valuable time getting caught up in power struggles trying to prove who's right. Sometimes you'll be the one who's wrong, or sometimes the other person will be; it doesn't matter who's right. If you're the one who starts the disrespect and insults, you've already lost.
Anticipate and analyze the topic of conversation and who you're going to talk to a religious fanatic, a sports fanatic, or a political zealot. Anyone who's a fanatic about something you're not, or worse, about something contrary to their fanaticism, be prepared to hear or read insults. Don't take it personally; that person simply isn't speaking from a rational perspective.
Don't let a stranger on the internet ruin your day; remember that his shitty comments will most likely come while he's sitting on the toilet.
Some people enjoy picking pointless fights and act like spoiled children while throwing tantrums. Seriously, ignore them; it's a great way to prevent unnecessary stress.
Straighten your back, drink water. Namaste.
The mute button works really well. Just saying...
I try to have a rule for myself. If I am inclined to say something for the sole purpose of disrupting, rustling someone's feathers, or otherwise being provocatve, I refrain.
I cannot know someone's state of mind they will be in when they read my words. I have no idea the persons it will affect.
Some people seem to despise humanity, or wish ill on others. That is saddening. Respect for life and dignity is, it is my belief, part of what makes us human.
You seem like the type of person who spends 5k a month on supplements.
I'm so sorry, I couldn't resist XD.
No. Surprisingly, there's no suppliment for human decency.
If I understand you correctly, I'm exactly trying to apply this rule.
I try not to put out negativity at all any more online. If I disagree I just scroll away. I no longer argue online, it’s just not worth the negative vibes. Now if I could also cut out doomscrolling, that would be even better
This is definitely something I struggle with. I’m working on getting better at just ignoring people though.
There was a time when I argued a lot, but often with people online. In the end, I gained nothing; I just got stressed and wasted my time. I had to work hard on it. Sometimes I still feel those urges to respond, but I have to talk to myself and calm down. Now, arguing in person is a different story. It's very difficult to get me to shut up. I rarely manage to control myself and speak calmly; most of the time I get worked up very quickly and don't realize what tone I'm using until it's over.
It is true that people can and do behave differently online to irl.
In the matter of debates it is especially common for people online to employ troll tactics- attacking the messenger and thereby seeking to avoid the substance of the topic.
Or simply making absurd and irrational 'arguments' in order to antagonize the respondent.
However I do not agree it is always pointless to respond to the trolls.
On the matter of The Greater Israel Project, here on SNs there has been a high degree of negative response- ranging from people ignoring the topic to people actively and very energetically seeking to silence the topic (with downzaps) and then those who simply seek to dismiss the topic, without exploring it.
I find the reaction to topics raised informative.
The response often tells us a lot about the thinking and biases of the community.
Those passively or more aggressively asserting any dialogue about the war is pointless demonstrate a degree nihilism and passive aggressive inhumanity.
Those determined to downzap any mention of the war and The Greater Israel Project indicate an awareness that for the issues to be discussed represents a threat to their world view and biases.
I enjoy debate both irl and online- and while the crude attacks some make in response when their prejudices are challenged can be confronting it is helpful to remind yourself that their responses are theirs and they say more about them than anything else.
Their desperation to avoid topics such as the war in the middle east and The Greater Israel Project that is arguably in large part causing it, shows them to be insecure, possibly religiously bigoted and certainly cowardly individuals hiding behind or at least determined to ignore blatant tyranny and mass murder.
When respondents pull out all the stops to avoid respectful open and reasoned dialogue and debate they reveal themselves as cowardly sympathisers of tyranny and enemies of freedom and truth.
Revealing that by engaging with them is not always pointless, but rather may sometimes be the most you can do to expose them and to raise awareness of the issues generally.
The fact they are so afraid of the facts and issues being discussed in a reasonable manner highlights the very importance of and need for the topic being discussed.
Do not be silenced by the trolls.