I made a mistake today. I expressed an opinion on the internet. Not this cultured bit of the internet of course, the other bit where they check your name and number at the door and try to make sure you see the things that you want to see. And I don't think there was anything mistaken in my opinion (I've thought about it a bit and I'm happy with it). Problem is, the things some people "want to see" are people expressing opinions that they disagree with, so that they can argue, violently.
I won't pretend to know what else motivates them. I should say "us" rather than "them" because it's much easier to see it in other people than it is to see the potential in oneself. And the unconsciousness I was guilty of was expecting to walk into a room and speak my mind and not be questioned or dragged into a teenage debating society roleplay.
No harm done, just a surprise. A bit like when you think a firework's a dud and then it blows up again just as you're walking towards it.
The Facebook Firework Code is simple:
- Disengage
- Let them "win" (it might be the only thing they do win at today)
- Know that I'm just as capable of it, even if I've been successful at abstaining for a while
- Make some art out of it - blogging can really help!
- Disengage again and remember to take care next time you're in that neck of the woods.
In particular, blogging helps where few people will read, fewer will comment and even fewer are primed for trolling, because life's too short.