ONLINE ETIQUETTE 2022 - Some ponderings...

1. Has the evolution of online discussion created a partisan society, with warring tribes looking to destroy each other from the comfort of their own silos – but with everyone yelling and nobody listening?

2. Why has it become acceptable to name call, fat shame and ridicule the appearance of any prominent person whose political views and values you don’t share?

3. Why do some people who preach compassion and acceptance feel the need to verbally abuse those who they don’t believe show compassion and acceptance?

4. By blocking people who don’t share your views, are you genuinely trying to clean up the internet, just wanting to show your superiority, shielding yourself from abuse – or creating your own echo chamber in which you feel comfortable?

5. Why is it that we use the terms ‘uneducated’ and ‘disengaged’ for those people who don’t hold our own particular political view?

6. Why is it that we spend our lives trying to change peoples views, but then if we find evidence they now have a different viewpoint than in the past (ie: a seven year old tweet) we call them liars and hypocrites?

7. Isn't it disappointing that when someone online with lots of followers and an obvious political leaning (either left or right) posts about a political figure they dislike, they, and it seems 95% of those who comment agree with them, and more than 50% of those feel the need to use abusive, descriptive language to describe that person?

8. And when that online ‘personality’ brags about all of the people they have blocked because they were abusive (while potentially being abusive themselves in their initial post) or because of the blockees extreme counter views – what are they actually achieving? Is it just nice to live in a comfort zone where you and those who support your views can throw rocks and abuse people while reveling in your own smugness?

9. Have we reached a point in society where it seems we all need to pick a side, find allies, and get into the trenches to defend our position?

10. Why is it that it seems today that when we meet new people (or even old friends) that we feel a need to tiptoe around what each persons views are on Covid, vaccinations, climate change, state and federal governments etc. before we decide in our own minds whether we can (or want to) be friends?

11. Can you remember the days when you could have a robust discussion with someone over a beer or coffee who has diametrically opposing views to you on a range of subjects – and both walk away still friends, respectful of each other – and possibly with a greater understanding of why they feel the way they do. And maybe challenged to rethink your own views or look at peoples values in a different way.

I dunno – maybe I am the odd one out here. But:

? I love having conversations with people with different views and values to myself.

? I know I get caught up in my own echo chamber at times, but appreciate it if called out on it.

? I know and respect politicians on both sides of the political divide. In my view nearly all of them go into public service idealistically believing they can make our society a better place. I may not always agree with their pathway to doing this, or what they are trying to achieve, but that doesn’t make them bad people or their views wrong.

? I frequently change my views, and can be swayed by people when provided with evidence or are challenged on my thoughts. Does that make me weird? It probably means I can never be a politician!

? I don’t believe there is a place for name calling, shaming or vilifying anyone in society. By doing so is more of a reflection on you than on the person you are attacking.

? I think there are many times we need to agree to disagree – and be okay with that. Maybe have a beer and talk about something else we do agree on, like the cricket or the weather. We all have commonality on something.

There is no way we can create a unified society if we all expect it to only reflect our own personal values. A unified society is one in which we accept and understand that we are all different – and that’s okay. In fact – that is something to celebrate, not be used to destroy.