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.
Assume everything you post is gonna be there forever.
Corollary: Don’t assume you’ll have access to your accounts forever.
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.
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.
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 😆
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
Everyone is a liar.
Starting with that premise works well.
Block any and all advertising at all times.
Never take off your pirate hat because you never know when you’ll need it again.
Goddamned right. There were several years when I’d let it go, because Netflix and the like were providing a good, fairly priced service. When they finally gave me the fuck you, I cancelled it on my 10th anniversary as a customer, along with every other streaming service. Took me a minute to get back in the swing, but the salty sea air is so nice again.
Never post photos or other revealing information.
I was about to chime in “especially don’t post nudes”, but immediately realised that you don’t even need to do that anymore for someone to ruin your life. They only need your face, that’s it.
Assume someday someone will find your account or identity.
I’m almost the opposite of you. I debate when I can, but I always make sure I argue in good faith. My thought is that even if I’m talking to someone who will never listen, someone who will listen might stumble onto the conversation, and learn something new.
Don’t feed the trolls.
This is one of the best and most ignored rules.
I use Voyager to access Lemmy, which, because it’s based on the long-dead Apollo for Reddit, has a feature where it tells you if an account is new. For example, I can see that your account is 4 days old.
It’s a really handy shortcut to ascertaining whether someone just holds a different viewpoint to me, or whether they’re just a troll account arguing in bad faith on yet another new account, because the previous one got banned. It really is a handy tool that helps provide a little friction between seeing a shitty take and responding to it. It gives me a chance to assess whether it’s worth it. And almost always, it’s not.
Obviously I’m not suggesting you’re a troll.
I like this better than not arguing or debating.
I think you can absolutely have a good argument or debate online, but you have to be doing so in good faith, as does the person you’re discussing a topic with.
Trolls of course are not. Learning to not feed them is sometimes difficult. But if you ignore/block them you’ll be just fine.
Yep. One can definitely have a heated debate about the merits of one process over another, when the outcome is constructive. That’s a rational argument.
Trolls on the other hand get “you’re not arguing in good faith, this conversation is over” and a block.
I just treat others how I want to be treated. Like I’d never say something I wouldn’t say to someone face to face, just because it’s the internet.
To quote Professor Farnsworth from the recent season of Futurama…
Fortune Teller Bot: Many people believe in a Heaven, yet you do not call them crazy.
Professor Farnsworth: Yes I do! To their faces, and behind their backs I’m even ruder!
I’m never intentionally mean to anyone - not online, not in real life. I’m not overly polite either, and I don’t hold back just to spare your feelings, but hurting people is never my goal.
I apply the same rule to people who aren’t even in the room. You’ll be hard-pressed to catch me talking shit about anyone, even the ones I don’t like.
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It’s ok to disagree, and we can agree to disagree and amicably end a conversation.
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@SnotFlickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 's hostility towards ads is step 0 to using the internet.
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@gibmiser@lemmy.world correctly clocks the fact that accounts should be cycled out and allowed to die regularly.
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I remember that many people spend more time here than I do, and are more invested in all things internet, and have a somewhat different lens of viewing social interactions.
I also don’t argue back and forth.
I don’t read other people’s arguments.
I have historically allowed people to assume I’m a guy across games and platforms. I don’t give a shit really, unless it is important to the context of the conversation. So I guess I’m somewhat breaking that rule on the fediverse…however it if I get misgendered I don’t correct it.
