On the 25th of November 2022, amid accusations of Trump Derangement Syndrome and poorly-chosen hyperbole about the corpses of children, author and podcaster, Sam Harris, deleted his Twitter account, which at the time had around 1.5 million followers. Even more shocking, he did so without the traditional, “here’s why my choice to delete Twitter is both momentous and courageous” tweet.
Good for you! I’ve thought that you ‘suffer a lot of fools’ but often it serves to illustrate the point you’re striving for. Nonetheless, it must often be exhausting. Here’s to,a healthier, happier balance where you continue to explore the themes you’re so good at examining without some of the dross.
We all judge. Do it from the moment we wake up. F'r instance, I judged it judicious to reply to your comment. We are called upon to not judge harshly. That's the tricky part.
I never had reservations about removing the unworthy from my sight; even when the majority of my life lay before me I was aware of its finitude and the vitality of making the best use of every irreclaimable moment. There is nothing hubristic in making the judgment that 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒.
Yes, it's true, that often better engagement leads to greater understanding, that if we take time to explain ourselves we learn we are not as opposed as we first seem; these do happen, they are precious but ...
... for every case like that, there are a hundred who are just toxic to engage with.
I block Pronoun People unreservedly. I block a lot of "lol" people (not all). Rule-based censorship like this is a statisically-defensible operation; yes I may block some people with worthy minds, but they will be far fewer than those who would just elevate my blood pressure.
And since my life is closer now to its end than its beginning, I must make an effort to spend more time in the cybercompany of those who will enrich it.
That's significant. It is not saying anything positive about me that at time assholes generate a BP raising fight response, but it's the internet where flight is a healthier choice.
Good on you, Steve. I've done the same by skimming off the real haters on my social media. It's been very positive. I continue to enjoy your writing and hope the New Year is especially awesome for you.
I've been blocking a bit more too. I calmly, without responding, blocked the guy who called me an antisemitic slur here a few months ago. He had gone on a rant with everyone and I wrote him off as a fruit loop. I blocked someone else who's too much of an easily-triggered snowflake even when he largely agrees with me. I've blocked folks on Twitter who are just looking for an argument and don't know how to argue. (I got something I wanted for Christmas: Good Arguments: Making Your Case In Writing And Public Speaking which I reading and underlining now).
There ARE good people on social media, and on Substack, and I'd rather engage with them, including the ones who really really REALLY don't agree with me. Especially the ones who think they understand where I lie on the political spectrum based on one comment not directed at them ;) ) There are a few people on Twitter I've blocked pre-emptively because they were behaving in a highly toxic manner and I didn't want any crap from them. But really, I don't think I've blocked too many. I'm simply blocking a little more freely.
My goal in 2024 is to become a better writer, a better arguer, find the folks I disagree with with whom we might have some common ground, and drag liberalism back from the wokies and conservatism back from the Trumpers. And maybe make a few folks think a bit before I block them. I just don't want to waste my time on lost causes. They may not be lost causes forever but they may be too far away from changing for me to wait.
Congratulations! You are successfully adulting. LOL
Whenever I see comments in media about the toxic discourse, I just think, do they not know about the block option? It is the easy way out sometimes, and it is also sometimes the most productive way out. Have you read "How to Have Impossible Conversations"? It helped me acknowledge that sometimes it is better just to walk away because some people just don't want to listen or to be persuaded and it isn't worth my time to interact.
I'm so glad you continue to write. Does it take courage or chutzpah or is it just because we are human animals? I'm a writer whose books are never read - I'm 'wrong' that is 'unmarketable' (interesting term) in too many ways - I'm an old woman whose skin is pale - perhaps that's why - perhaps I'm dull. We all need to be seen, heard and responded too to know we are alive. We need to see, hear and respond to be alive. Was it any different before the media existed or is it just the huge scale and shallowness of thought it brings? Is it just the unending untidy injustice of media trolls? We need to trust in fairness not spite but we still may find hate and injustice instead of love and tolerance inside families and personal relationships. My thoughts need more thinking.
Steve, I hope that I can make the cut of those you deem worthy of having stimulating conversations with you. I mean, I Know I'm worthy, but I also know that I sometimes fail at letting my rakish charm shine through.
I pride myself at being able to see multiple sides of any issue. I pride myself on being able to see the worth of the reasons people have for choosing sides on any issue. I pride myself on always being able to discern that there are never only two sides.
I strive diligently to recognize the inherent worth of any person, of every person, and I connect with them based on that worth.
Recently I enthusiastically involved myself with Free Black Thought right here on Substack, but not long ago a conflict erupted in the world which betrayed its rank-and-file as not being as free as they... well, thought.
And it's not just them. It's conservatives in general. They rail righteously and powerfully against identity politics, yet when it comes to Palestinians and Israelis, their identity politics are at the forefront. And crossing that line gets you kicked out of the club. It would be an understatement to say that I am merely dismayed at the lockstep of conservative thought and action.
...For the last several days I have been trying to engage a Facebook friend - actually, an old College buddy - to try to feel some empathy for people who don't believe as he does. He has become very Progressive and he, like many, finds it far too difficult to deny the convenience of tarring and feathering those he is dutifully supposed to tar and feather.
We had a dispute about Moms for Liberty, as he labels all its members "bad and wrong and awful." Of course he linked me to articles written by those who "prove" his point. I countered with the case of Jessica Bates, an Oregon native who simply wants to be able to adopt. But she's Christian and the state of Oregon has deemed her unfit for this noble venture. So I asked my friend, regardless if he agrees with her or not, if he can muster a little empathy for a woman facing a sea change of social mores which invalidate every principle she's ever been taught to embrace.
And he said he could!
This delights me. This is the level of patience that I and all those like me must project, despite the vitriol and panic that has become the go-to lure of social media.
I, too, am Christian. And it is clear to me that my approach to all the noise out there is what Christ would have me do. Beyond that, it is what I am thrilled to do. Christ instilled that passion within me.
Which is my long-winded way of thanking you for this essay, and telling you how much I enjoyed reading it.
And let me add this edited comment: if you've known some of the things I've done to those I've lost patience with, you might have typed a different comment.
Good for you! I’ve thought that you ‘suffer a lot of fools’ but often it serves to illustrate the point you’re striving for. Nonetheless, it must often be exhausting. Here’s to,a healthier, happier balance where you continue to explore the themes you’re so good at examining without some of the dross.
This is something I've been wrestling with. How much venom from the radicals can we be exposed to without becoming radicalized ourselves?
And if we don't make judgments based on generalizations of our experience, what are we learning from life?
We all judge. Do it from the moment we wake up. F'r instance, I judged it judicious to reply to your comment. We are called upon to not judge harshly. That's the tricky part.
Yes it's a risk. But failing to learn is a greater one.
Agreed!
Congratulations on arriving at this realization.
I never had reservations about removing the unworthy from my sight; even when the majority of my life lay before me I was aware of its finitude and the vitality of making the best use of every irreclaimable moment. There is nothing hubristic in making the judgment that 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒.
Yes, it's true, that often better engagement leads to greater understanding, that if we take time to explain ourselves we learn we are not as opposed as we first seem; these do happen, they are precious but ...
... for every case like that, there are a hundred who are just toxic to engage with.
I block Pronoun People unreservedly. I block a lot of "lol" people (not all). Rule-based censorship like this is a statisically-defensible operation; yes I may block some people with worthy minds, but they will be far fewer than those who would just elevate my blood pressure.
And since my life is closer now to its end than its beginning, I must make an effort to spend more time in the cybercompany of those who will enrich it.
"those who would just elevate my blood pressure."
That's significant. It is not saying anything positive about me that at time assholes generate a BP raising fight response, but it's the internet where flight is a healthier choice.
I love the delete button too. Empty that trash daily.
Steve Q hits Nirvana. Love that approach.
Wonderful news. I am a subscriber for your thinking and your articles. I often skipped the conversations.
A wise and courageous decision. I don't know you except through your articles, but I would expect nothing less. I look forward to more articles.
Good on you, Steve. I've done the same by skimming off the real haters on my social media. It's been very positive. I continue to enjoy your writing and hope the New Year is especially awesome for you.
I've been blocking a bit more too. I calmly, without responding, blocked the guy who called me an antisemitic slur here a few months ago. He had gone on a rant with everyone and I wrote him off as a fruit loop. I blocked someone else who's too much of an easily-triggered snowflake even when he largely agrees with me. I've blocked folks on Twitter who are just looking for an argument and don't know how to argue. (I got something I wanted for Christmas: Good Arguments: Making Your Case In Writing And Public Speaking which I reading and underlining now).
There ARE good people on social media, and on Substack, and I'd rather engage with them, including the ones who really really REALLY don't agree with me. Especially the ones who think they understand where I lie on the political spectrum based on one comment not directed at them ;) ) There are a few people on Twitter I've blocked pre-emptively because they were behaving in a highly toxic manner and I didn't want any crap from them. But really, I don't think I've blocked too many. I'm simply blocking a little more freely.
My goal in 2024 is to become a better writer, a better arguer, find the folks I disagree with with whom we might have some common ground, and drag liberalism back from the wokies and conservatism back from the Trumpers. And maybe make a few folks think a bit before I block them. I just don't want to waste my time on lost causes. They may not be lost causes forever but they may be too far away from changing for me to wait.
Congratulations! You are successfully adulting. LOL
Whenever I see comments in media about the toxic discourse, I just think, do they not know about the block option? It is the easy way out sometimes, and it is also sometimes the most productive way out. Have you read "How to Have Impossible Conversations"? It helped me acknowledge that sometimes it is better just to walk away because some people just don't want to listen or to be persuaded and it isn't worth my time to interact.
I'm so glad you continue to write. Does it take courage or chutzpah or is it just because we are human animals? I'm a writer whose books are never read - I'm 'wrong' that is 'unmarketable' (interesting term) in too many ways - I'm an old woman whose skin is pale - perhaps that's why - perhaps I'm dull. We all need to be seen, heard and responded too to know we are alive. We need to see, hear and respond to be alive. Was it any different before the media existed or is it just the huge scale and shallowness of thought it brings? Is it just the unending untidy injustice of media trolls? We need to trust in fairness not spite but we still may find hate and injustice instead of love and tolerance inside families and personal relationships. My thoughts need more thinking.
Steve, I hope that I can make the cut of those you deem worthy of having stimulating conversations with you. I mean, I Know I'm worthy, but I also know that I sometimes fail at letting my rakish charm shine through.
I pride myself at being able to see multiple sides of any issue. I pride myself on being able to see the worth of the reasons people have for choosing sides on any issue. I pride myself on always being able to discern that there are never only two sides.
I strive diligently to recognize the inherent worth of any person, of every person, and I connect with them based on that worth.
Recently I enthusiastically involved myself with Free Black Thought right here on Substack, but not long ago a conflict erupted in the world which betrayed its rank-and-file as not being as free as they... well, thought.
And it's not just them. It's conservatives in general. They rail righteously and powerfully against identity politics, yet when it comes to Palestinians and Israelis, their identity politics are at the forefront. And crossing that line gets you kicked out of the club. It would be an understatement to say that I am merely dismayed at the lockstep of conservative thought and action.
...For the last several days I have been trying to engage a Facebook friend - actually, an old College buddy - to try to feel some empathy for people who don't believe as he does. He has become very Progressive and he, like many, finds it far too difficult to deny the convenience of tarring and feathering those he is dutifully supposed to tar and feather.
We had a dispute about Moms for Liberty, as he labels all its members "bad and wrong and awful." Of course he linked me to articles written by those who "prove" his point. I countered with the case of Jessica Bates, an Oregon native who simply wants to be able to adopt. But she's Christian and the state of Oregon has deemed her unfit for this noble venture. So I asked my friend, regardless if he agrees with her or not, if he can muster a little empathy for a woman facing a sea change of social mores which invalidate every principle she's ever been taught to embrace.
And he said he could!
This delights me. This is the level of patience that I and all those like me must project, despite the vitriol and panic that has become the go-to lure of social media.
I, too, am Christian. And it is clear to me that my approach to all the noise out there is what Christ would have me do. Beyond that, it is what I am thrilled to do. Christ instilled that passion within me.
Which is my long-winded way of thanking you for this essay, and telling you how much I enjoyed reading it.
And Happy 2024!
"I strive diligently to recognize the inherent worth of any person, of every person"
Prepare to be disappointed.
The only disappointment I would face would be in me, if I stopped seeing the value in others.
It’s a question of how much time you’re willing to spend seeking that value.
Good luck.
Yes it is. Thanks!
And let me add this edited comment: if you've known some of the things I've done to those I've lost patience with, you might have typed a different comment.