I love to argue in real life, so what makes you think I won't argue online? If I see a comment I don't agree with on Facebook or YouTube, I will respond accordingly most of the time. Stranger, friend, family, I will still challenge them to an online duel. Is it annoying? Perhaps, but I know when to quit and agree to disagree. From my years of experience, there are things I have learned from fighting on the Internet, especially with strangers, that might be very useful for you all.
Let's get to it:
1. Use proper punctuation, grammar, and vocabulary
Why is this number 1? Because strangers are vicious. Even if you have a perfectly sound argument, they will only focus on the misuse of the word 'your'. Think of it this way, your argument is only valid if you have no errors whatsoever. If you are not confident with your English, add 'English is my second language, sorry if there are any mistakes', and the grammar nazis will back off. Remember to use your periods and commas!
2. Don't be rude
The moment you call a stranger any sort of derogatory name, the argument will deteriorate into the online equivalent of an 8th grade fist fight between two scrawny boys. Never call the other person an idiot, fuckwit, moron, gay, or anything that offends them as a human being. Even if they are an idiot. Once you do, you have lost all credibility. Fight with your intelligence and you will never need to bash the other person.
3. Stay level-headed
The stranger might be completely unreasonable, but don't use caps lock. Caps locking means you are either a 13 year-old or a 55 year-old. Chill, use the beautiful lower caps to construct your argument and breathe.
4. Don't assume anything about the other person
You don't know their life, they don't know yours. So make sure you don't talk about their experiences, family, or anything personal. They might have gone through five major surgeries or have been kidnapped. You never know. Don't think you've seen more of the world just because you've been to Nepal and ate lunch with your hands once.
5. Some people are trolls
You will be able to recognize them because their arguments are akin to that of a 4 year-old on his first day of school. Once you know, get out of the argument immediately. Do not waste your time on a troll. Do not feed them. They all take pleasure from your anger. The more you reply and the longer your responses, the faster they masturbate to your comments. They are sick, sick individuals.
6. Agree to disagree
When the time comes (and it will), end the discussion. If you are sure that your stance on the issue is unwavering and you feel that the stranger across the screen feels the same way, then call it off. There's no use in prolonging a debate between two hard-headed people.
7. Don't say facts or stats that you cannot back up with a link
Before you go on saying that 1/3 of all American marriages end in divorce or that Russia is the 3rd most populated country in the world, or that there are 500 million people in Indonesia, go on Google. Make sure whatever you say is correct. Even if it's not your main argument and you just need to say it in passing, you have to know that it's true. Because if the other person knows that it is false, then you will be called out on it and any subsequent facts and arguments will be unreliable.
8. Use personal anecdotes
Yeah, you can get a little personal because people can't negate your own real-life experiences. If you are against a certain issue and you start with a story that contradicts or agrees with said issue, then you have already tipped the argument over to your side. I would rather listen to a woman who have actually had an abortion than someone who's never had it. Experiences matter. They make you more knowledgeable about the matter at hand.
9. Don't be too personal
The Internet isn't your diary. Share your experiences but don't go into too much detail. If it's just a naturally long story, put a TL;DR at the end for people who don't give a shit about your two dogs or your great aunt's misfortunes. It might be germane to the issue but leave the details out.
10. You are not right
Just
because you disagree with something, doesn't mean you're the right one.
It's called an opinion, not a fact. You have to know the difference
between the two. However, there are several issues that are simply wrong,
such as sexism, racism, or homophobia. But issues such as abortion or
gun laws have many sides to them, and you cannot make the entire world stand on
your side. That's not how it works.
11. Not everything needs a battle
I have hated many articles and videos online and I know that I should say something about it, but I don't. It takes great strength for me not to write a piece of my mind, but it's very necessary for my mental well-being. If I was to comment on everything I disagree on, I would be no better than the common troll. Know when to pick your battles. Make sure it's worth your time.
No comments :
Post a Comment