I came off Twitter partly because of its obnoxious and poisonous content but also because of the online arguments that I would occasionally get into. It has been different on BlueSky, up until now that is.
A few days ago I got into a spat. I won’t bore you with the details yet it was about immigration and whether some published numbers were falling or growing. Everyone likes to promote their own narrative and the press, in particular, seems to be particularly virulent when it comes to immigration. When there is some seemingly good news then we are all expected to plough in and support the sentiment, yet I was and still am convinced that the story was wrong.
Despite the headlines, the numbers had not fallen but rather the rate of increase had fallen. It is a subtle yet different interpretation. I posted my thoughts and then the fun started.
Soon I had one individual who was convinced that I was wrong and that the whole of the world disagreed with me. I have no problem with that. By all means question my logic but it wasn’t long before they resorted to name calling. Whilst this upset me it increased my resolve to put my case forward.
It troubled me however. I don’t know why but my heart raced and my stomach churned. It was as if the person I was having a spat with was actually in the room with me and were having a full on argument. He, I am assuming it is a he, kept coming back at me repeating his same arguments and adding some sniping personal comments. In the end, however, his arguments proved that he was wrong and that,in my mind at least, I had been proved right.
What was really a trivial matter occupied my mind for the remains of that day and the next, so much so that I had to come off BlueSky altogether for a while. The thought of reigniting the spat was too much to bear. Fortunately, when I did get around to logging on again, everything had gone quiet and I was able to resume normal activities, whatever they are.
My physical response to this incident was way outwith its actual relevance. I should not have reacted in such a way but it was not a conscious reaction. I must be too thin skinned and should avoid such altercations in future.
I don’t know how people who really get trolled can cope.
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 