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> It seems the vast majority of people in this thread disagree that this line is arbitrary. Maybe. I wonder how many people are choosing not to respond because
by simondotau 5y ago
> It seems the vast majority of people in this thread disagree that this line is arbitrary.
Maybe. I wonder how many people are choosing not to respond because they’ll only be voted down by the people who feel very strongly about this. I’ve curtailed and hedged many my contributions to this topic on HN because of this.
This is a common issue when social media is used to debate matters which are highly emotionally asymmetric.
- Clubber 5y agoDon't self sensor. You have an opinion, voice it. Downvotes be damned. You ain't gonna change anyone's mind if you don't say anything.
- simondotau 5y agoMost of the time I'm quite outspoken. But it's clear nobody on HN is willing to change their mind on this issue. I'm just not interested in the emotional investment only to deal with oblique inferences that I'm stupid or don't understand their arguments.
- nonbirithm 5y agoThis in my mind is the mentality that contributes to a perpetual outrage culture. Standing up for your beliefs and trying to convince others by argument is exhausting and not always effective (see: Brandolini's law). My preference is to just leave my thoughts without the intention of trying to convince anyone, and to learn what can be learned. Sometimes it is necessary for us to disengage when constantly arguing isn't worth the effort.