As a generally online person, everyone should be aware of the traps.
Now, I don’t believe all people are behaving maliciously and trying to suck people into their tiny, shitty orbits. Honestly, the internet has afforded us so much in terms of world-building and viewing that we tend to forget people who just want to watch the world burn. Most people just want to express themselves and not in a gross way. Shit, The Daves I Know wouldn’t exist, but for me running into Martin in a beer line at the Nessie!
However, this preamble brings me to Internet Rule 1005: No one will argue with you more on the internet than someone who agrees with you 95%. Nuance is what they will say, or, probably not, they mostly just want to argue, and when you point out that you are on the same side they will just bail.
Friends, I’ve been a Twitter user for almost 13 years. I have pissed off more people than I care to remember. I also have recently adopted a cardinal rule (courtesy of Dan Savage) “Don’t Yuck someone’s Yum”.
Debate is fun, good, and healthy if done honestly and with respect. Just because the person you are engaging with has a stupid fucking opinion, that doesn’t give you the right to treat them any worse than you would treat your mother.
Let’s try to remember that as we embrace a new Loons season.
xoxo,
David
P.S. Loons win 3-1 today, call your bookie!