I’ve always been a “lurker” on all platforms and communities because when I do have a question or would like to contribute my first thought has become:
Actually, let me google it first
In which case I’ll usually have some answer. Usually it isn’t a complete answer but enough for me to not want to share my question anymore.
Well… If you know where someone is getting their information, it actually does say a lot about a person.
When I run across an argument like that, I know to back out of it and reassess if it’s worth it in the first place.
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Yeah I get that people use it that way but what if you actually want a discussion? Gets a bit tiresome to be accused of “letting them spew hatred” when if you actually want them to stop spewing hatred, a conversation with actual understanding is necessary, imo. Or at least the best way I know of
I lost this belief for myself. Anonymous people usually don’t have enough respect towards each other to actually make a change.
Online discussions are mostly either about “winning” or just getting so annoyed that you don’t want to continue anymore.
Especially the antisemitic conspiracy crowd have integrated their beliefs so deeply into their identity, that lighthearted conversation will not shake them.
I have empathy or atleast understanding for these people, especially when they talk about their life story and upbringing. In the end tho, it doesn’t really matter. Many people are even self-aware to a degree about their mental flaws, but simply are too broken to even seek help.
For many political ideology is simply an escape from reality. Some watch anime, some talk to random people online, some get into weird shit.