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.
"It is important to remember that respectful disagreement is not trolling — and in fact, voluntary engagement in uncomfortable conversations is necessary for growth intrapersonally, interpersonally, and socially."
These conversations don't often seem to work in this medium.
Oh, I mean here too. I've left that site and do not intend to return, ever - I believe it's become uniquely bad there. Respectful disagreement generally seems to be a rare currency in social media spaces, at least in any sustained way.
My experience has been that the best result is something like "Oh, yeah, I see that person there definitely said that!" and then, no further discussion.
