Yes, I know, that there are people who I've been able to help, but I came back to read my comments, here and a few other sites, and really, I feel ill.
One option Is to stop reading my comments, which is too bad because I do like answering questions.
@Teri_Kanefield
My advice is to skip the meaningless comments and take heart in the fact that your social media posts do attract people to your long-form posts. From my point of view, they really help.
@Teri_Kanefield It legitimately may not be worth it for you. It's definitely worth it for me a whole bunch of other people ... but take care of yourself first.
@Teri_Kanefield it’s worth it. Statistically speaking, there are a large number of lurkers who benefit from your posts (see link). The ragers represent a small but vocal minority. They’re digital barnacles. Your presence is needed, important, valuable, and provides clarity for people you’ll never meet. The abuse from trolls is meant to drive you off the platform(s). Don’t give them the satisfaction. I appreciate you.
@mckra1g@Teri_Kanefield What Molly said. I'm so sorry to hear that your posts generate so much vitriol. Thank you for your posts to date, no matter what you decide going forward
@Teri_Kanefield It's worth it for us. I learn a lot from following you, and I appreciate the service you're doing for us all.
If it's worth it for you though? I hope so. I've seen a lot of good people driven off of social media over the years, when they get influential enough to start making a real difference, and I'd hate to see those tactics work on you as well. If you need to take a break, or leave to protect yourself, well that's fair.
But we'll miss you, so I'm cheering you on in the hope that you can find a way to overcome, and push through.
@Teri_Kanefield BOY, can I relate to this. I went through similar thoughts and experiences yesterday (well, every day), and find myself skipping comments, which I’ve never done in all my years on social media.
Just know that you’re elucidating and informative, something badly needed here.
The insights, analysis and service the two of you provide are invaluable. I have a list dedicated to the two of you to ensure I don't miss anything. I definitely hope you'll both stay.
@GottaLaff@Teri_Kanefield Laffy, I saw that yesterday (you diplomatically disengaged) and Teri, I read your posts airing your frustrations. I suspect some of what you both experienced may be the result of intentionally manufactured toxicity.
I wrote a thread about my experience of being attacked for what I thought was a compassionate post, and about seeing emotionally draining comments affecting 2 larger accounts (both of yours) later in the day. https://mas.to/@flowerpot/111425805190018640
Great comment. Not sure what it is, but there is certainly something in the water, and it is not limited to political topics. The nay-saying and critical outrage definitely seems to have increased markedly lately.
@mastodonmigration@GottaLaff@Teri_Kanefield Yep. Here is an example of a subtle, but still inflammatory comment by an account made 2 days ago, commenting on my post I made this morning about drama.
@GottaLaff@mastodonmigration Laffy, you are way more patient than I am. I see how considerate you are and marvel at it. When I see posts like this, I tend to discount them because:
They are pure emotional reactions that have been expressed 1000s of times/an old trope that needs to die. If they are authentic, then they haven't been paying attention because Trump continues to lose in court.
It is manufactured doomism intended to exhaust us and dissuade us from posting about Trump losing
@GottaLaff@mastodonmigration I personally think it is the latter option (#2). Even if the person is being authentic, it makes me wonder if he/she isn't acting out from stochastic terrorism based on what other exposure they've encountered by dis/misinformation operatives.
Trump is nothing without his image. Nothing. Anyone who exposes him is a target. Even if you only share news from reliable sources/journalists.
By the way, I think you and Teri are doing good works informing our community. 🙏🏽
@mastodonmigration@GottaLaff@flowerpot@Teri_Kanefield I like the metaphor here. Straw man plus hobby horse becomes straw horse. Perhaps there are straw horse races, straw horses ridden by straw men. In fact, this describes much of the internet.
That's funny. Love your comment and thanks for the benefit of the doubt, but it was definitely unintentional. Meant straw man, but you are right, it is kind of a cool mixed metaphor. Perhaps more of a combination of straw man and stalking horse.
@mastodonmigration@GottaLaff@flowerpot@Teri_Kanefield Well, typos and word misfires often lead to creative expressions. We think and speak along well-traveled paths, but sometimes we trip, fall into the underbrush, and find ourselves in a strange new perspective. (As a further example, my fingers typed "undercrush." I fixed it, but "undercrush" might work too.)
@flowerpot Thank you. Most of my draining replies are from well-meaning allies who feel the need to either quibble or see the downside of every situation, instead of offering either constructive or informative responses, or simple acknowledgement that a situation is stressful, and thoughtful ideas on how to improve.
IOW, constant compulsions to be cynical, contrary, negative instead of helpful, supportive, or rational/explanatory. @Teri_Kanefield
@GottaLaff@Teri_Kanefield Am a huge fan of both of you and I hope the brand that each of you is building will reward you for the work you've put into the building. Please hang in. I think that in the case of @GottaLaff it's time to call for escalated proactive moderation from .social. @Teri_Kanefield, not sure how that works on a solo instance, hmmm.
@jimbush I understand, and fall into that sometimes too, but I rarely express it out loud unless I feel I'm being fair, accurate, reasonable. I don't just spew. I hope, lol. Thanks, Jim. @Teri_Kanefield
@Teri_Kanefield I appreciate your thoughts here and your presence but I can empathize. I've cut back a lot on my social media presence for similar reasons. It's exhausting. And while I'd say the majority of folks are great the ones that are hostile, angry at everything, deliberately/accidentally rude, overstep boundaries, offer patronizing advice, etc can really grind you down. I don't know what your best solution is but you are appreciated here by a lot of people who read but don't often reply
@Teri_Kanefield
Someone made the point which I will paraphrase with "the jerks are the noisy ones." Wednesday I took M, a recently-arrived refugee from the war in Syria to take the drivers test. He passed; the tester was friendly, chatted w/me, told me what M needed to practice more. Then he thanked me for helping M.
I told M that, said the jerks are loud and the news talks about them a lot, but there are a lot more people like him not in the news.
Keep up the good work. We applaud quietly.
Good story. Thanks for sharing it. Daughter, just had an experience in a parking lot where a woman in a nice new SUV accidently backed into a person in an old sedan. The sedan driver didn't speak English and definitely didn't want the police involved. The woman took full blame and called a Spanish speaking friend to figure out how to compensate the sedan driver. Good people everywhere.
@Teri_Kanefield
I just came across this, the app kept crashing so you most likely won’t even see this.
Teri, it’s because of you and @GottaLaff that I’m on here at all. As soon as something newsworthy and legally interesting happens, I look for your input.
I value it very much. Even if I don’t respond every time. I truly believe that people who feel like I do outweigh those who troll you.
🧵 1/
@Teri_Kanefield Whatever you choose will be right. I’ve appreciated your posts, but I understand that getting all that vitriol in replies can be draining. Navigating social media as a public intellectual is tough! Do what’s best for you.
Please don’t give up. That’s the whole intent of disinformation, hate, and fascism. You are a very important voice and resource. You inspire me and many others every single day. Take a break if you need to. Block haters. Ignore negative comments. But please persist, at least until the bitter end! 🙂
@Teri_Kanefield I doubt you will see this, but I generally avoid responding to your posts, because you get it mostly right. I could help drive up the positive comments ratio, but I bet it does not matter.
First. You are wonderful. One of the best voices of knowledge and reason on Mastodon, perhaps on social media, perhaps in the media in general. 99.9% of those here share this opinion and would be crushed to see you alienated from the platform. Something is in the water. There seems to be more reflexive nay-saying and outrage. Many regular posters are mentioning it. It's scary times. People are worried and fear manifests itself as aggression in some.
But, this is also when your expert sober advice and council are most needed. It is really difficult to engage with nuance when one craves simple clear comforting black and white answers.
@Teri_Kanefield I am sorry to hear that. You and @Laffy are the best for keeping up with US insane news.
She is the facts, just the facts (ok, maybe a womp womp thrown in on occasion) and you explain the legalese to save us from ourselves and our armchair lawyering.
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