10 Comments
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Gar Moss's avatar

Great to get the personal update and it's evident you've still kept restraint in your response. There is still so much more you could have done and written that would have shined more light on him but chose not to. All very interesting.

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Whipling's avatar

Thanks. Everyone deserves dignity. I'm sad I've said this much. Tried to keep it at "just enough".

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Gar Moss's avatar

Well no I think that's fine, when he threatens someone (Me) with "I've found your employer and will dox you, he's opened the doors already. What's he doing in Seoul? He's more a dprk sort

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Hazza's avatar

Bluesky really needs to increase investment in capable moderation. I also find it ironic that the people who dish out the most hate online can’t handle it when somebody attempts to hold them to account. If you are going to intimidate and harass others online, especially if it is from the safety of an anonymous account, the least you could do is acknowledge your behaviour and offer a sincere apology when called out. This is why I say that for some people, China and Russia, among other countries, or political movements, are just means to ends. Platforms to express their frustration and anger at Western society. But harassing people online isn’t going to do anything to change the world for the better. The geopolitical situation isn’t going to suddenly be different because a group of people managed to report an account enough to get it banned on a social media platform. The world is changed and improved by people going out there and actually doing things. Studying, working to contribute in a positive way, volunteering… supporting people when they are down, celebrating successes when they are made, and by showing kindness and empathy. This comment isn’t directed at any one individual in particular, but I am sure that there will be some people who will be following your Substack closely, as well as the comments section, so if there is anyone reading this who needs to hear this, I would just like to take the opportunity to say: before you press send on that unnecessarily antagonistic comment or message, how about taking a deep breath first and asking yourself: am I treating this person online the way I would like to be treated? Could this person be struggling with mental health issues that I am not aware of? Will spewing antagonistic hate help anything, anywhere, at all? If the answer is no, perhaps reconsider what you are doing. Feeling strongly about a political opinion is never justification for sexism, homophobia, and misogyny. It’s not funny, it’s not ironic, it’s not clever, and it is certainly not helpful. Switch off your phone, spend time with family and friends, reach out for support if you need to, but don’t take your frustrations with the world and turn them into a weapon to attack or harass others.

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Whipling's avatar

Truedat. Golden Rule in my Primary School was: "Think of the other person." Everything else is a derivative of that.

People tend to get lost in 'sides'. You remind me that I need to get better at speaking up when I see bad comments around me, even if they are friends.

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PurpleHoorean's avatar

I’d posted the article on BlueSky and it’s still up. ‘must have gone unnoticed there.

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Maxim's maxims's avatar

Bluesky? What is that? Rhetorical question, don't answer :)

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Whipling's avatar

"BlueSky’s simplicity may yet be its best protection for its purity."

Yup. Rethinking those bloody words now.

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Maxim's maxims's avatar

Bullies can't handle being called out.

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Zaki Khalid's avatar

The 'gift' that keeps on giving.

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