Betterment and Praxis

1474 readers

1 users here now

The community for cool things you've done out in the real world, or are doing in the real world!

Covers things like volunteer work, community gardens, political activism, organizing clubs and communities in your public circles, and all the information surrounding how to do that stuff. Also covers self-help and betterment, because to help your community it helps to help yourself!

This community's icon was made by Aaron Schneider, under the CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Before you post that comment to social media…. (beehaw.org)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

9 comments fedilink hide all child comments

… ask yourself these three questions:

Is it kind?

Is it true?

Is it necessary?

Granted we’ve all heard this before, but sometimes we need reminding.

top 9 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Is it kind?

Some times the truth is not kind. I'm not saying to be intentionally cruel but the truth does often hurt as it rubs up against the little lies people tell themselves to avoid the painful aspects of personal growth.

Is it true?

As above, the truth is often not kind. So many things that are kind are not true and many things that are true and not kind.

Is social media the place to present these?

That is another question all together.

Is it necessary?

Nothing (well, 99.9%) of the posts on social media are not necessary. Most people are here to distract themselves from the world of personal experience (myself included) around them.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I read it as being at least one of the three. If it's not kind, is it a relevant fact? If it's only your opinion, does that contribute to the discussion?

I think the questions are a tool to make us aware of our behavior. People have issues and can get triggered without noticing and engage in a conversation to their own detriment. Be kind is generic. Do you really want to attack and cause harm to someone else (someone might, BTW)? Are you using facts as a weapon? Is it in your best interest to say something, or in the interest of something positive?

Also, if the reason is to distract yourself, that's a reason. It's not a good reason all the time though.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Well said and good points.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I read it as being at least one of the three.

That’s how I read the ol’ saying, too. Unless at least one of those things applies, maybe reconsider the post.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Part of the issue is I see people post opinions as though they are facts and in an unnecessarily argumentative manner rather than a constructive one. Those posts would be none of the three, but present themselves as at least one. Less of an issue on Beehaw I'll say at least.

Generally if something is true and constructive, I view those posts/comments as useful. They don't need to be kind. Just don't make them unnecessarily abrasive.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

re: the first one

Kind and nice are not the same thing. Kind means you're assuming good intent and you're trying to benefit the other person - maybe by educating them or changing their mind. You're not just yelling at them.

re: the third

I'd argue that shitposting is very much necessary because it makes me happy, but that's a stretch haha

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago

Is it necessary?

That last question has kept me from participating in discussions (on- and offline) for most of my life. Low self-esteem would always make me ask myself if what I wanted to say was necessary, if it added value, etc. And always I'd end up not saying anything at all because it probably wasn't worth it for others to read or hear. Which sucks because participation is half the fun.
So yea, I try to follow the first two but have given up on letting that last question guide my online behavior.
Hopefully the first two will balance out the last :)

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The truthful part seems to matter a hell of a lot more than the others. But like the first one, this should go without saying.

The third one... well no part of the internet is necessary to start with. Especially social media. We got along fine (maybe much better in many cases?) without internet.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago