Thoughts about debates, blocks, and downvotes

People block others. People post about blocking. People post about the people who post about blocking.

And now we have a buzz about downvoting. So, this got me to put some thoughts together.

Suppose I wanted to post a certain political opinion. Here are two versions of how I might do it.

Version 1: I think President X is/was a better president than President Y.
Version 2: Only a brainwashed idiot could fail to see that President X is/was a better president than President Y.

(OK, version 2 is not really my style, but hypothetically...)

Anyone would be well within their rights to block me in either case. Blocking, if nothing else, is a way to customize your feed so that you don't see things that detract from your experience here. If you blocked me, I would never conclude that it was because "you couldn't stand to hear the truth and are so pathetic."

If I used version 2, you might block me because of my hateful manner, rather than my political opinion. (There are even users here who I tend to agree with politically, but whose posts I dislike because of the tone.) So if you get blocked, it might not be because of what you said but because of how you said it. And in that case, griping about someone "not being able to stand hearing the truth" is a bit self-serving on your part, IMHO.

As for debating or arguing with what I posted: if I posted Version 1, then I think it is really out of line for you to respond with ad hominem insults toward me. On the other hand, if I posted Version 2, then I should be prepared to take whatever you dish out.

As for down-voting (which I am not planning on using anytime soon), I would reserve it for Version 2. Although we are reassured that the "penalties" for being downvoted are mild ones, I would not want anyone to be penalized simply for expressing views with which I disagree. But it might not bother me so much if the person were penalized for expressing those views (or views with which I do agree) in an adolescent bullying manner.

Just my opinions.

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Peapod · 61-69, F

Very interesting post. I cannot believe how many posts I have come across in my time here that was all about those that either blocked them or even dare argued with them. It's really childish imho.

I block fetish type people right off the bat so I do not have to see them on my feed. It just isn't my thing.

I rarely if ever block for any other reason.

One guy I did finally block was one that kept blocking and unblocking me because of his ego in my assessment of him. He's quite the narcissist and often would make follow up posts about those that would dare argue with him. He's convinced people ban together against him if there is more than one with a similar opposing opinion. He was also notorious for removing their opinions, even those that were not a vile attack. I don't miss being a player in his mind.

As for the new anonymous downvoting, I was not aware of it. I haven't been on much in the last few weeks. I have no idea how that will enhance the site.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

@Peapod Yes, I have noticed that people make that assumption: others are working in collusion with each other, they band together in cliques, etc. As opposed to a person's post simply annoying lots of others independently. And if the people who react negatively happen to be friends with each other, what is so surprising about like-minded people being friends?

Oh well. Thanks for your insightful response. 🙂

Peapod · 61-69, F

@DrWatson The person I am thinking of has done this for YEARS. In the day, he created tons and tons of socks, just so he looked like he had his own "gang" that agreed with all he said. EVERYONE KNEW IT TOO, INCLUDING MANAGEMENT. This is the only reason he even made an impression on me when he came here and behaved the same way. I have no idea if he still has a ton of socks since I blocked the main source.
I may find out though if I get a bunch of anonymous downvotes on a benign post. 🤣

DrWatson · 70-79, M

@Peapod Wow. So did he go to the trouble of having all of his sock accounts block and unblock you?

Peapod · 61-69, F

@DrWatson Hahahaha, I have no idea tbh. Luckily, I had little personal interaction with him in the day, but many knew of him. I really didn't become a target of him until here, probably because I am closer to someone that doesn't give him the argument he is used to getting.

From what I understood of the past, he also had sock accounts to ensure he always had a presence since he would get banned quite often for his blatant attack posts. Those I saw with my own eyes and they were not subtle. He really obsessed over a group of people as he saw as a clique and happen to be everything he is against politically. I wasn't part of the group, but was friends with a few from afar.

I tend to read more than participate in general, so this is how I know of some of these characters. If I don't care for how someone acts, chances are pretty good that I won't engage them in the first place.