An essential read from the former
research manager of Stanford’s Internet Observatory, on how spreaders of misinformation (people who have been deceived) and disinformation (people who know they’re lying) view even *labelling* a post as misinformation as censorship.
More … 🧵
Trolling + misinformation requires an audience: so when rather than responding, I simply block, they also perceive that as censorship.
This latest accusation, for example, claims that, as a university professor, I am a public official and hence shouldn’t be allowed to block anyone on social media.
As @jonathanstea.bsky.social points out here, a strong predictor of trolling is the tendency to derive pleasure or enjoyment from being cruel or demeaning to others. By blocking, it deprives them of that pleasure.
From the comments I receive (see below for just a small sample from last week), you can see how this could plausibly be the case - many of whom are then shocked and indignant to be blocked.
it seems there are some that, upon being opposed, feel fear, but may not be aware of their fear, so they lash out with a classic fear response to attempt to regulate their fear, but they do not have your consent.. when you deny them that, you remove their tool for regulating their fear, maybe?
