Thread by @sunnshiiny

#Freedumbers

It’s amazing how so many people on the left can rationalize using epithets if they consider the target the enemy (as in dehumanized).

When will people learn? Eye for an eye approaches don’t work.

Fascists want us to be unable to control our emotions.

Yes call out the bullshit. Do not attack them personally. It reduces your arguments to meagre childhood taunts.

You don’t need to go high when they go low. That’s not the attitude required.

We need to fight back.

But pick your battles. Personal insults are for your vanity.

Make your argument about liberal social democracy vs authoritarianism and fascism.

The battle isn’t between individuals. It’s about how we choose to be governed.

There are assholes in every party.

It’s not about assholery.

It’s about retaining the ability to choose who should govern, and having the adequate, reliable, and trustworthy information to make those decisions.

Angela Markel was tough but genuinely likeable.

But she also stood by and watched as Germany was overrun with Russians.

Many Germans are advocating conceding Ukrainian territory to appease Russia.

They would gladly sacrifice Ukrainians to maintain privileges and comforts.

Fighting personal battles may make you feel good but it’s ultimately conceding your agency from the battle for democracy.

No one is safe from criticism. Including those who appear to be supporting progressive ideals.

Decisions, behaviour, speech & policy should be the target of your criticism. Not individual people.

It’s NOT about PP, Lich, King or any other convoy supporter.

It’s about what PP represents & the worldview he promotes.

It’s about pointing out the inherent assumptions made to support the convoy are delusional beliefs and values.

Make it personal and no one will listen to you. Because you are no better than the hired trolls and digital bots if you dive into & swim in the gutter with the fascists. Exposing fascists for what they believe is the preferred anti fascist activity.

If you haven’t figured this out yet, all you’re doing is contributing to the far right’s reach.

Your zingers aren’t going to change peoples’ minds. Neither is their rhetoric going to change your mind. So why interact with the contents of the sewer. I don’t mean the people.

I mean the quality of their ideas. The content of their tweets. The subject matter and lack of salient information any human being requires to make an informed decision.

Stop interacting with people who have poorly conceptualized ideas.

Tamara Lich is as much victim in this scenario. A victim of her desire for relevance.

Is she relevant? No. So stop talking about irrelevant matters conducted by people who are dazed and confused.

Your argument s & criticism land on deaf ears and blind eyes.

These people are radicalized.

Do you honestly think Muslim moderates bickered with ISIS, Al Qaida, and other radicalized extremists over beliefs and values?

No. They weren’t that foolish to provide extremists with the fuel to maintain their twisted beliefs and values.

That is what is so frustrating.

Every epithet you utter, every ad hominem and repetitive explanation followed by an insult of people’s intelligence is proof used by these radicals to keep their converts gaslit. You’re doing their job for them.

So stop it.

Pissed at the nonsense of Sale and Fleury being propagated? Well, if you’re interacting with them, you’re the guilty party amplifying BS.

Congratulations for playing their game.

Lesson one in effective dissent: do NOT argue with the ignorant. Do not try to educate them.

It’s like telling a person their religion is garbage and they are stupid for believing in their god.

In what universe are you thinking that kind of approach will shift someone else’s beliefs and values?

If you want to make shifts, you must shift your approach, not theirs. Ignore people who are closed to open discourse. Block those who insult you when you ask questions or interact politely & respectfully.

Speak truth and stay focussed on the topic.

Stop giving oxygen to them.