I struggle with this too. Some of the advice here is good and I won't repeat it, but three rules I've found helpful: 1. Wait before clicking submit. I write my

I struggle with this too. Some of the advice here is good and I won't repeat it, but three rules I've found helpful: 1. Wait before clicking submit. I write my reply, then go get a cup of coffee or take a bathroom break or whatever. Then when I come back, I ask myself whether the world would be better off if I closed the browser tab instead of posting. 2. Always add, don't subtract. If I don't have something substantive to contribute that hasn't already been said, and I just want to cut the legs out from under an existing comment, it's probably not worth the time and emotional energy and it won't convince anyone anyway. 3. Talk about the ideas. Don't make the response personal unless the person I'm responding to specifically asked for a personal response (asking for advice on a situation they're in, etc.) If I find myself writing the word "you," it's a sign that I may be violating this rule.