Thread by @wokal_distance

1. Always tell the truth.

2. If you don't want to discuss something, refuse to discuss it and let people think they want.

3. If you're at fault for something and it comes out, own it. Make no effort to save face. Take the hit.

4. Don't apologize for things you didn't do...

5. If someone is twisting your words or deeds to make them look like something they aren't there are only two options. The first is to say nothing. Any response you give is just another chance for them to twist your words and prolong the drama. Streisand effect.

The second is...

wait until the attack is finished and see if it worked. If it didn't then ignore it... people saw through it. If the attack works wait for the fallout to end, then provide irrefuteable proof that they twisted your words. Leave no doubt. If you can't do that, say nothing...

6. If you did something and it came out, DON'T LIE ABOUT IT. You don't need to explain every mistake you ever made to everyone on the internet, but don't lie. It's perfectly fine to say "I'm content to let other people speculate and gossip, but I won't address this further"

7. Trolls love drama and will try to force you to comment on a story to keep the drama going. If they force things and you must address it: Tell the truth, tell it once, then refuse to discuss it further.

These guys thrive on drama. Smearing them back only boosts their signal.

8. Sometimes people dig old things up because they want you covered in the stench of your worst moments for the rest of your life.

When they bring up perfectly legal things you did that "aged poorly," are "problematic," or "cringe," they just want you covered in social stink...

Nothing you can do will win them over. If they have you dead to rights and you did it, it is best to just say, "I said that, my views have changed. Here is what I think now and why I changed my mind."

Don't run, don't lie, don't hide. They either believe you or not. Their choice

9. If you have admitted fault (and not tried to minimize or dodge) and someone responds by trying to go over your old words in detail and keep asking you about it, you should walk away. They are just trying to drag you by drawing out as much cringe from your past as they can...

They are slow dripping you to keep the drama going and get clout. Let them. So long as you have been totally honest there is nothing else you can do.

10. Do not lie about your past. If you have a checkered past say that. Be honest. You don't need to give embarassing details...

But be honest.

Here's an example: I haven't always followed my own moral standards. I have a son out of wedlock even though my parents divorced and I said I would not have a broken home, and Christians are not to have kids out of wedlock. I did this. No excuses...

This brings me too:

12. Don't build your brand around something you aren't. Do not be a moral scold on something you have struggled with.

It is better to remain silent, or say "I have struggled with this so I am not the one to ask," than to give a hypocritical answer...

Which is why I almost never comment on Christian sexual ethics. I had a kid out of wedlock so I can't be the one to talk about that. It just doesn't work.

I will leave that to others to discuss and I'll focus on other areas (like Postmodernism and Critical Theory).

13. All of this is predicated on the idea that you do not lie. If you lie, even a little, this advice won't work.

The best is to ignore the prying eyes of those who want to dig up your past for clout or vengence. If you can do that then "tell the truth, or at least don't lie"...

We a have skeletons. Every one of us has done things which are legitimately awful... things which (if they were to come out) would make the world look at us differently.

We a have this, and we all know it. For most of us it doesn't come out. But when it does this thread is what

You can do to handle it.

As @jordanbpeterson says "tell the truth, or at least don't lie."

This thread is how you can put that advice to work.