Track_Shovel ,

That was a long read, GW, but I particularly like your strategies for comment/post responses. There are several in there that my (professional) mentors have taught me and they serve me well; particularly the write a response but don't send it.

While the strategy you mention below wasn't one I was taught, I think it's a big one:

Ask yourself whether you are the right person to be responding here. Are you a part of the privileged group that you perceive is being attacked? If you are not a part of the privileged group, do you have any context on the plight being described? If not, you should probably start by educating yourself. If you are educated on the topic, are you giving them the benefit of the doubt?

Because we are the protagonists of our own stories, it's hyper easy to think we know it all, must stand up for others, condemn every transgression, or have all the context to make our comments valid. The internet makes everything seem personal, and it is human nature to try and simply things down to black and white thinking.

Chances are, we don't know it all, have the necessary context, or necessarily need to address every issue or injustice. Despite my shitposting tendencies, I would much rather make fewer, more defensible comments than a litany of comments at the edge of my experience/expertise, or those were I fully understand what's happening (ask questions! has entered the chat).

Take a step back, baes. Take a breath. Then respond

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