I Have a Suggestion for Similar Worlds

A thought about blocking. Why, when X blocks Y, does it automatically follow not only that Y is invisible to X, but also that X is invisible to Y (ie, in effect, Y has blocked X, through no choice of his own)?

X achieves his (or her) objective in blocking Y when he can no longer see anything Y writes, and when Y has no means of contacting him. But would there be any harm in Y still being able to read what X posts?

I found myself thinking about this yesterday when I discovered I had been blocked by someone I had previously regarded as a friendly acquaintance. Of course that’s his prerogative. But I was reading a lengthy exchange involving two long-standing friends of mine when I realised that something was missing. A post from a fourth member mentioned the author of the missing comments by name, and so I was able to discover that he had blocked me. But my enjoyment of the whole conversation was impaired by the fact that I was unable to read parts of it, through no choice of the other participants. I’m not sure what this achieved, unless it was to punish me for some (unknown) misdemeanour!

I would be interested to know what other people think.

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SW-User

When you think about it, if what you suggest was put into place, most people here would probably get very wound up when they responded to the person who blocked them, and the blocker remained silent. The blockee wouldn't know they had been blocked, be even more confused, and get angry, leading to more alternate accounts in order to message the blocker, going against TOS. I understand what you're saying but I think it's better the way it is, as frustrating as it may be.

SW-User

@SW-User That can be circumvented the same way it is already; everyone knows when you receive the message 'you are not allowed to view a profile' or 'message is deleted'. And it probably does stop some aggravating circumstances but I think the current way creates some unduly.

SW-User

@SW-User We'll have to agree to disagree.

SW-User

@SW-User We can... :) Equally as I trust you won't run roughshod on me, block me, and slander me. We have no reason for that to happen, but it can happen.

MartinII · 70-79, M

@SW-User Well I think a member who is blocked should automatically be notified, irrespective of what one thinks about the question in my post.

SW-User

@SW-User lol. Previously, I never blocked anyone because I'm against censorship. However, over the past few months, the realization that there are some people here who don't add anything to the "conversation," who are more intent on verbally abusing people they don't agree with, has finally dawned on me. I don't block often but I'm satisfied with my decisions and I'd prefer not to be on that other person's radar. I want them to forget about me.

For me, if someone blocks me without what I feel is provocation on my part, I don't care what they have to say. It's their decision. I assume they're a snowflake, have an emotional issue, and they're simply not worth my time. I take nothing that occurs on this whackadoo site personally. 😉😆

SW-User

@SW-User Be satisfied with your decisions. Often that is the right approach to live, do care about those you love, mind you.

I only ever block people that I have felt insulting; I have questioned after but my blocklist is not long. My mute list is much longer, put on a fetish I have no care in seeing, instant mute and it's perfect that way. I'll never run into them otherwise and my feed goes without diapers.

This site can be a little whackadoodly cracked sometimes.

SW-User

@MartinII I don't see the point in being notified immediately but, for the record, I like your entire post here. If someone posts something that encourages using our brains and is open to a rational discussion, it's always a great post in my mind. 😊

SW-User

@SW-User That's exactly what I've been doing over the past few months! I block the verbally abusive. I don't have that many blocks, but my mute list of the fetishists is a mile long. 😂

SW-User

@SW-User I appreciate that SW created an option of turning 'fetish' posts 'off'. They still show up sometimes, as unless the post is flagged fetish it's an honour system. And it's not I can't see any fetishes, some are actually curious, and I imagine real and some only taboo in stigma, but the ones I really don't want to see 'mute'

SW-User

@SW-User I'm more of a person who prefers to mute individuals rather then an entire group. There are some people here that, although I'm not into their fetish, I enjoy speaking with in other questions they show up on.

I do understand yours and @MartinII's point here. I just don't see how it will make you feel better to be able to read someone's comments who has chosen to block you. Some of these people who you might feel were good friends, evidently don't feel the same way about us. Whatever their reasons, I have no interest in trying to figure out what I said or did that might have triggered them. It's not a productive use of my time because I'll never have a definitive answer. 🤷‍♀️ In a way, I think it's more hurtful to the psyche to keep on seeing them but be placed in the position where we can't respond.

SW-User

@SW-User My real only complaint is I can't see my own comments on a post by a person who blocked me. I understand no further interacting, but my own words censored to myself? I imagine that is actually just lazy programming upon the site. Just like they made the code to highlight a comment in notification you linked upon instead of taking you to that comment.

I'm not after feeling better in seeing someone's else comments who blocked me. I feel it would create a healthier atmosphere if one did. But as I said there is caveats to that I'm sure.

RubySoo · 56-60, F

@SW-User i was recently blocked by a 'friend' who called me a liar publically...and when i messaged privately to clear upbwhat he perceived as my deceipt (which want btw) he was nasty as hed said publically he didnt wish to be friendsxwith a dishonest person. He wanted the matter airing publically....and i wasnt prepared to do that. He scolded me dreadfully and blocked me....only 2 unblock me a few days later to tell ne the error of my ways.. tell me how i needed to change and say how he hated untrustworthy people....and how much damage a person can do when they have personal info about you.
Ive blocked said person.....im not responding to that crap.

SW-User

@SW-User Did they change the programming so we can't see our own responses now? I wasn't aware of that. I haven't been online that much lately and haven't been aware if anyone I was speaking with blocked me.

SW-User

@SW-User Yes, if someone blocked you and it was on their post you can't see your own comment.

SW-User

As soon as he called you out publicly,
You should have flagged the post.@RubySoo What he did was against TOS.

It sounds like you're better off without that kind of craziness in your life. I'm glad for your own sake that you blocked him. If someone blocks me, I prefer they keep me blocked. That kind of behavior says the other person has issues I can't be bothered with.

SW-User

@SW-User Ah! I gotcha. Yes, that's always been the way here. What I love is when someone gets angry with you, replies, then blocks you! You get the notice they responded but you can't see the response and given the opportunity to say anything. I call it CSS...Childish Snowflake Syndrome. 😄😋

Meh, again, it's just not worth wasting my time on. I always look at it as, it's their problem, I'm not making it into mine. 😉

RubySoo · 56-60, F

@SW-User
Initially i thought hed just misunderstood what id said....so i tried to explain i didnt say everything in public but it wasnt to hide anything....i just didnt think the world needed to know...but he chose to continue publically and blocked me.

he clearly unblocked me just to lecture me....

MartinII · 70-79, M

@SW-User Thank you!