when a bunch of nerds (complementary) hate misinformation, lies, and ignorance on the internet enough, they all get together and make a wiki. its a beautiful, natural process. not all nerds will contribute to a wiki, but all of us will have some feelings about it.
Did you mean “complimentary”, or were you saying that the bunch of nerds have distinct areas of expertise which, as a whole, complement each other?
Yes, and if you don’t agree you can debate me!
I can answer with confidence: sometimes!
Of course it was.
They were wrong. How are they going to know they are wrong if no one tells them?
Other people in this thread have already said it better than I could but in brief: Yes
Laughs in does not read replies
You just won $23.437.932. Please reply to let us know where to transfer your winnings.
It’s a hobby.
Was it worth it?
Well, we’re clearly sitting on a picturesque beach on the Spanish Med, so… yeah? Sure, getting SWATted was no fun, and the bogus restraining orders were a real hassle, but ever since we had no choice but to leave the US things got a lot better.
Now, how about some sunscreen babe? You’re gonna burn like that.
yes.
Before I realized there was no point 99% of the time, I didn’t think it was a waste of time. Now if I’m feeling generous I think, at least on a platform like Lemmy, best you can hope is like 10% of the time you plant a seed for the person with a wrong idea or opinion that will eventually lead them to a better understanding. I certainly know that’s happened to me before when I was wrong. So often, people make the online exchange feel awful though. There’s a prominent attitude in many extremist/wrong viewpoints that not only are they right, everyone who thinks differently is an evil asshole.
It’s not just for the person you reply to, but also for anyone else who may come across this thread. That’s how I see it anyway.
Right, that’s also how I think of it
Generally speaking, I don’t argue with strangers on the internet with the goal of changing their minds or “educating” them. I mean, I do start with that intention…who doesn’t? But by the time I am finished, I realize that I’m just clarifying my own thoughts and positions in my mind.
I just find it entertaining
Username checks out.
congratulations.
Absolutely. There’s way too many blithering idiots online. We made the web way too accessible to them back in the ‘90’s.
And if idiots don’t get challenged, you run the risk of them thinking they’re actually right. And that’s very, very dangerous.
I will admit the only reason I attempt to verbally correct them is because I don’t have access to a Reaper drone to shove a Flying Ginsu missile up their ass.
I mean, evidence shows that having their ideas challenged online tends to entrench people in their ideas more so than it convinces them that they’re wrong.
So, while I sympathize with your goals, I think your method is having the opposite effect of your intended outcome.
I say this, knowing it’s true, and still doing the arguing online thing anyway.
It’s not about them it’s about the other people that might be influenced by their post.
Online is never an A&B conversation, which is why I usually avoid direct confrontation and just provide well structured, clear information, because I don’t really care whether I can convince someone who has made up their mind.
It’s about deconstructing the argument with clear digestible information for the dozens of lurkers.
Evidence isn’t what bullies and bigots rely on. It’s their feelings of superiority and their justification of violence.
hence why they will never argue with evidence or facts. They will just insult and harass and threaten.
and if you use the evidence of their own words against them… well get ready to get reported to the mods.
I hate saying this, I feel gross saying this, but the internet needs restrictions. I don’t know what the solution is. I hate all the ones that are being tried right now like age verification or needing an ID, because they really seem more focused on surveillance than anything else… But… God damn.
The general public should not have unfettered access to the internet. I think we have shown that this technology is too dangerous for humanity as a whole. There’s just too many idiots and bad actors. Again, I don’t know what the solution is. How do you balance privacy and personal freedom with the dangers that come with giving everyone access to everything? Unfortunately, I don’t see a solution that doesn’t come off as draconian or controlling in some way, shape, or form.
Maybe it’s something like a multi-layer internet, where the first layer anyone can access but is mostly read-only with a few exceptions. If you want to access the second layer which allows you to post, comment, upload, etc., you need a license. The barrier to entry should be small, something on the level of a HAM radio license. A simple class, an easy test, and a small one-time fee and you’re good for 10 years. You can even allow access for anyone at a library, university, or business.
It wouldn’t fix everything, and deep down I know that if anything like this were tried it would be twisted and warped by the powers that be to become just another form of control, but holy shit we need something or society is going to tear itself apart.
yeah, your such a big tough strong guy who is so smart.
so strong that you fantasizing about murdering people who upset you by saying things you don’t like… so brave. so smart. so strong.
All thoughts are not created equal. Something tells me yours are created even less equal than most.
yeah, so superior when you’re go to is insults and threats.
almost like you’re a bully, and a coward.
yeah, so superior when you’re go to is insults and threats.
yeah, your such a big tough strong guy who is so smart.
1000% worth it.
If you don’t challenge things, you let bullshit flourish and that influences societal views.
arguing, no. discussing, sure
That’s the key to human interaction in general online or offline. Don’t argue with people, communicate with them.
Argument is a form of communication. And like all forms of communication, there are better and worse ways to do it.
it doesn’t matter if you do that, if they don’t.
this is like the classic ‘just tell them’ reply to relationship issues… what people forget is that people don’t listen. and if you tell them, they don’t listen, well then you’re going no where. it also assumes people aren’t trying to win, when often, they are. some folks regard communication, understanding, and compromise, as themselves losing.
it requires two parties standing on the same ground and working from the same place, which is rare to find.
What do you mean by “arguing”?
This is one of the core principles of modern social media platforms.
