Ask Lemmy

The block button works for me

Yes. But more importantly, I find myself (in hindsight of course) participating in conversations I probably should not be participating in to begin with.

I have a bad habit of leaping without always looking. If you look at my comment history, I’m sure it’ll stick out like a sore thumb. But that is my proverbial cross to bear, and it’s something I feel like I’m getting better at.

But, that aside, there are plenty of things I’d love to discuss with people that I know would not be received well, or like you said, have been discussed to death.

Great question!

All the time.

i usually do. it also helps to check first if the sub is light-hearted and sharing is very welcome.

there's a chance the sub is already at a devolving to name slinging and memes and that requires a different touch.

Yes, sometimes. Though I try to remember that one of the reasons for that phenomenon is just that new people are entering the environment every day, something that will never end. It's easy to think it's always the same people arguing, but it's not. There's just a lot of different people in the world.

When I think it's possible to try to improve the discourse over what we've seen in the past, I'll sometimes make an attempt. When I have the time and energy for it anyway, I don't always.

I was typing something, was going to just delete. So yeah

People are only ready to receive so much Truth.

And ~~even~~ especially then, likely with anger.

... and ofc that includes ourselves as well btw.

It's not all that different from irl conversations then, except you cannot look in each others' eyes to gauge sincerity. So ask yourself: why have irl conversations at all - especially when you know they will turn ugly? We cannot really help you further b/c you have hidden behind an alt account here, though I hope this gives you some stuff to think about.

I have done this from time to time. Need to go back to it. There's too many Dwight Schrutes online. Thanks for the wisdom. OP.

Yes because there are certain areas where paid actors, including bots, overwhelm any organic discussion. I have discussions about stuff like that in private chats with people I actually know.

Yeah, there's plenty of topics I avoid discussing on the internet. I'm not here for an argument.

I don't mind discussing politics or religion, even though I don't repeat myself in the same discussion and don't engage with trolls. However, I absolutely never discuss my family, my personal matters and my racist views.

Yeah, and the worst is when people are talking about something I know a lot about, getting virtually every detail wrong, and I have to resist saying anything because I know my input will either be ignored, or worse, straight up unwelcome.
Luckily the blessing of being dumb as bricks is that that doesn't happen a lot, but I sure hate when it does.

Several I never comment on or engage with, several I comment on and very few topics I engage with.

Maybe try a more formal debate setting? I know there are some places like "the crucible" that facilitate that.

I doubt you will find anything on Lemmy unless you start up a highly moderated community. Even then, people can bring questions against the moderators.

Discussion and debate are pretty lawless in nature.

Absolutely and specially in this place. But most topics are ok.

Just pretend that we all vaccinate when we are told and you will be fine. :)

Yeah. On my personal pages I either unfollowed or deleted so many people so I don't have to deal with it. On places like lemmy it's not worth the energy.

Sometimes I can't help myself though. I was taught to stand up for myself and for other people as well so it's hard for me to sit back on certain conversations. Somehow this week I actually changed someone's mind (Not on lemmy). It's confusing when that happens lol

That's probably smart. Even with important things I don't think online arguments have ever swayed anyone. I like being an annoying vegan and arguing about it occasionally, but sometimes it's just frustrating and I have to disconnect for a while.