I spent the last week or two visiting and posting on Reddit under cryonics and few other threads. The result was that I was being dragged into what I would call "flat" debates that I would compare to mashed potatoes. A "flat" "mashed potatoe" debate involves or "devolves" into a 2-point reference system where the debates end up attacking one another rather than a 3-point debate where a "hot potatoe" is tossed around as an abstraction between 2 people, creating those 3 reference points. As a result, I deleted every entry on Reddit and won't go back.
I think MOST people have a tendency in social media to devolve into 2 point conversation/debates. I can't do it. It gives things quite a low-life evil feeling. I'm more used to 3 point conversations where nothing personal is involved and an issue can be "tossed around" like a fully integrated "hot potatoe".
The direct and relentless slandering without keeping things elevated to abstract on point debate was astonishing and quite frankly, frightening... as if I had accidentally walked right into a really bad part of town.
After drinks, dinner and a few hours sleep last night, I got up before midnight and decided to erase a few dozen posts I had made since entering the area a week ago, which in itself was a problem because each post has to be deleted.
I prefer writing my own blog that I can open or close with one click and where there are not many visitors... and if they do post here, I can modify their input to regulate it UPward to a 3 point abstract debate on the issue.
I'm reminded of why social media has become such a national issue and why its a problem. Most people simply don't have the ability to manage themselves to conduct a 3 point abstract debate. Slanderous assaults are so easy to get dragged into that I found myself getting dragged down... and that is what scared me the most. However, I've lifted my vision once again and am back in my own blog here.
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