Ian M. Mackay, PhD (he/him) 🦠🤧🧬📑🥼🤹🦟🧀 Profile picture
virologist. husband. dad. reader. writer. fixer. bad typist. learner. in no order. opinions mine alone. Also here-https://t.co/KMyCSWJNku

Sep 18, 2021, 7 tweets

A short thread on blocking to maintain your own mental health from others' aggression, bullying, anger, stupidity, trolling, disingenuity and abuse (of course, you can always log off social media to get a break from its negativity)

You don't have to follow me.
You don't have to read my ramblings.
You don't have to tell me what you think.
If you don't like what I'm writing, stop reading or block me.
I promise I won't mind. I probably won't even notice.

I don't owe you my time. I'm not your punching bag or assistant. I don't have to answer or tolerate your rude, trolling, maliciously deceptive questions or debate you because you want it. I'm here at my own cost for my own reasons.

One of those reasons is to keep learning - and not just about viruses. I'm also here to share my understanding. And yes, sometimes I get it wrong. Please tell me that - nicely. Or just leave.
This is my garden and I'll tend it however I like. Deal. Or just leave.

I find this list is a good reminder in the heat of the moment - of why & when to block someone. I've sometimes found it hard to justify that to myself at (weird, I know).

Sure, some lose their mind at the offence of you daring to block them from *your* timeline. They'll cry about it, thrash & tantrum & wah-wah in subsequent tweets; can't be avoided. But that's why a list helps make your reasoning clear, beforehand.

To get the most out of a garden, you have to keep the pests and weeds out. Regular maintenance makes it much easier to see and smell the flowers and to get the most from the many wonders that surround us. Let the weeds spread and the garden is ruined.

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