Don't Be a Coward

https://pixabay.com/en/argument-conflict-controversy-238529/
@Rollo1 (16679)
Boston, Massachusetts
March 28, 2018 7:00am CST
I do enjoy social media, though I am sure that it occasionally gets sick of me. I don't start fights - well, not usually. But I don't shy away from fights that somehow I have been sucked into, And it's not that hard to suck me in. I'm a sucker for a good fight, ummm... I mean, debate. But if you're going to debate on social media, then I think a few rules are in order. For one thing, you shouldn't resort to name-calling or personal invective. Debate ideas, not which of you is uglier or the bigger waste of space. And don't pick on people. That's how I got into my latest debate. One of my FB friends was mercilessly attacked by someone who disagreed with his posting on an ideological level. But there was no ideological debate. She simply called his post moronic and BS and other such things and demanded he not post things she didn't like. Did I mention my friend is elderly, ill, and an amputee? Well. no one attacks a legless, old man on my Facebook feed and gets away with it, The funny thing is, the post was about bullying and she was bullying the person who posted it. She didn't like having that pointed out. Anyway, after a good round of pointing out the weaknesses in her argument (such as the fact that it wasn't one) she decided to purge her friends list of any person who didn't think like her. I am glad to say I was never on that list to begin with, so my suffering was minimized. Actually, I would have loved to have been unfriended by her. Like a medal of honor. But, anyway.... The point is, if you're going to start a fight then stay and finish it. And if you lose a fight, fairly, then don't be a whiny brat. Don't attack people and call them names because you disagree with their FB posts, Don't be a coward.
11 people like this
11 responses
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
28 Mar 18
I've been blocked on myLot by some self-righteous, pompous members and also feel sort of honoured by this act.
4 people like this
• Canada
28 Mar 18
Way to go @MALUSE (35897) I admire a woman who speaks her mind! :-)
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
28 Mar 18
I haven't ever blocked anyone because of their ideas or viewpoints. I wouild only block abusive people. IF everyone agrees on everything all the time, there's never any hope for discussion.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
28 Mar 18
I spend less and less time on my Facebook account. This site seems to bring out the worst from people.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
28 Mar 18
I like to think that when I am challenged to a debate, I am at my best. But you are probably right. I shouldn't get pleasure from arguing. Or pleasure from winning the argument.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
29 Mar 18
@LadyDuck To be honest, when I first joined my lot 7 years ago, people argued all the time. It was more of a site where people spent a lot of time being contentious. I think that we have to be able to deal with discussions about topics we don't like. We should be able to walk away when it's too upsetting, but even more so, we should be able to disagree without getting so upset.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
29 Mar 18
@Rollo1 In the recent weeks also on this site people went into arguments. This is not helping the site, we are here to discuss, but I think it's wrong to easily get offended and to argue. Several users have closed their accounts due to this attitude.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48929)
• United States
29 Mar 18
Facebook really takes the cake with rude inconsiderate people
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
6 Apr 18
In some ways, it is just like the real world. Except that people who aren't fighting in person tend to be a bit nastier from behind a screen. In real life, some of thee types of arguments would lead to fisticuffs.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48929)
• United States
6 Apr 18
@Rollo1 I have a very small friends list and really only communicate with loved ones and dear friends. I mostly look at pictures and inspirational things there.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325751)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Mar 18
I also think a person is losing the fight once they result to name-calling and personal attack.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
29 Mar 18
It's a sign that they've run out of ideas.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325751)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Mar 18
@Rollo1 That's for sure.
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
28 Mar 18
Sometimes people put themselves into situations that they cannot really finish or get out of. And fighting can really be a waste of time, most especially if the fight is nonsense. Then blame others for whatever. That is just really plain stupid and pretty lame.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
28 Mar 18
When they can't get out or finish, they block you. But I know they just ran away...
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
29 Mar 18
@Rollo1 that is what cowards are known for. Hehe
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
28 Mar 18
Yes that is right . I agree with you. If you're going to start a fight then finish it.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
28 Mar 18
Exactly. Or, bow out gracefully. Not spitefully.
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
28 Mar 18
@Rollo1 very well said
@shaggin (71664)
• United States
29 Mar 18
People can get really nasty on Facebook. No one thinks the same way on every subject so there is bund to be people with differing opinions. Stating our opinions in a respectful way is fine but name calling and bullying is never okay.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
29 Mar 18
Social media is full of bullies. We just have to learn to not let them bother us.
1 person likes this
@Bluedoll (16774)
• Canada
28 Mar 18
There are some cowards. They will call other people names but I notice things like when the admin sheriff arrives in town you don't see hide nor hair of them. Why is that?
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
28 Mar 18
True. People who like to attack others are more careful if they think they are being observed by someone with power to ban.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Mar 18
I think that bullying is never acceptable and demanding that people not posting things you don't like is childish in the extreme. I am pretty fussy about who gets to be my friend on Facebook so I have little issue and if I don't like their constant harping on a subject I just silence them which is nicer than unfriending but just as effective. I have only had to do that with one anti-president "friend" I accept differing opinions I don't accept name-calling.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
28 Mar 18
I have many "Friends" that I picked up back when I played a couple of FB games. Some are quite nice and we get along well - even those in other countries. Some are rabidly opposite in worldview. That's okay. I don't mind discussions, even when everyone is not in agreement. But some don't really have a point or an argument, just a lot of vitriol. Only once did I unfriend someone like that. Generally, I let them get so frustrated that they unfriend me.
@mom210 (9036)
• United States
29 Mar 18
Wow I do not do facebook but I thought it was just to keep in tough with people not fight. What a shame.
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11133)
28 Mar 18
Social media has a habit of bringing out the worst in people. Some people are just so rude.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
28 Mar 18
I don't think they know they are being rude. I don't think they realize they are acting like adolescents. They throw out their interruptions and unrelated insults and follow it all up with an "LOL" because they think they are the ultimate wits.