Part of the issue is that online, it’s often hard to tell the difference between someone who is genuinely asking questions and someone who is asking questions in bad faith. The (relative) anonymity between people is definitely a hindrance here, you can often not easily tell if the person you’re talking to is 15 or 30.
Could you give me an example of this asking questions in bad faith? I’ve heard it before but I just can’t wrap my head around what it means. Questions are questions and answers are answers. I’m of the opinion that unless it’s in private messages, even answering troll questions with earnest is useful as public comments have an audience.
Doesnt matter if its in bad faith or not, just answer the question with an honest answer. Even if its a bad faith question, the answer isnt. And plenty of other people will read it.
It does not matter at all who the person asking the question is, how old they are, or whether they’re asking in good faith or not. You answer the question for the sake of the audience who will read it. Answering the question is an opportunity to demonstrate understanding, inclusiveness, and compassion. Even if you suspect that the person asking is doing so in bad faith, there is no downside to responding as if they were doing so in good faith, whereas attacking them for asking the question is all downside.
If you’re feeling frustrated and suspicious and you don’t have the patience for it in the moment, then do not engage. You’ll only do harm, to yourself, to them, and to anyone else who reads the discussion.
If it’s clearly bad faith, you report and remove it. It doesn’t actually benefit anyone to discuss with people who are using the question format to spread fascist conspiracy myths. Some posts are very blatant about it.
If they’re going in without a desire to learn, you can’t really reach them, at least not with forum comments. They’ll probably need some work in person.
Some of these 30yos might even be paid trolls or bots.
Then answer as though they are asking in good faith, remain calm (which can be difficult, I acknowledge), and avoid dismissing their feelings or position. Remember that you’re talking not just to them, but to everybody who reads the exchange in future, and some of those people will need those calm words to turn away from the rabbit hole.
Remember that you’re talking not just to them, but to everybody who reads the exchange in future, and some of those people will need those calm words to turn away from the rabbit hole.
This is the most important part. If they’re arguing in bad faith, or they’re just stubborn and stupid, you’re not going to change their mind even with the kindest and most comprehensive response. But there are lots of people watching, and a lot of those people are trying to decide how they feel about the subject in question.
The best thing you can do is stand out as the voice of reason in an exchange. Your conversational partner might not be convinced, but onlookers will be.
And take breaks. You don’t have to be everyone’s savior. Do the help you can, when you can and just try to make the internet a little safer and happier than you left it.
Tbh, if someone is asking questions, that’s (kind of) already a good sign - even if in bad faith, at least it gives space for expressing an opposing viewpoint instead of just closing off all the discussion with insults and attacks.
I’m definitely not a fan of insults etc. - at worst, I’d just report it. The issue is that some of these bad faith posts are made by rightwing political activists, those aren’t in any way willing to change their point of view and are just binding resources that could be used elsewhere more productively. And if a community is targeted by those types, they can easily destroy it by posting so much that they dominate the feeds.
Part of the issue is that online, it’s often hard to tell the difference between someone who is genuinely asking questions and someone who is asking questions in bad faith. The (relative) anonymity between people is definitely a hindrance here, you can often not easily tell if the person you’re talking to is 15 or 30.
Could you give me an example of this asking questions in bad faith? I’ve heard it before but I just can’t wrap my head around what it means. Questions are questions and answers are answers. I’m of the opinion that unless it’s in private messages, even answering troll questions with earnest is useful as public comments have an audience.
I think an under discussed issue is the people answering questions in bad faith as well, not just obvious trolls but those playing longer cons.
Doesnt matter if its in bad faith or not, just answer the question with an honest answer. Even if its a bad faith question, the answer isnt. And plenty of other people will read it.
It does not matter at all who the person asking the question is, how old they are, or whether they’re asking in good faith or not. You answer the question for the sake of the audience who will read it. Answering the question is an opportunity to demonstrate understanding, inclusiveness, and compassion. Even if you suspect that the person asking is doing so in bad faith, there is no downside to responding as if they were doing so in good faith, whereas attacking them for asking the question is all downside.
If you’re feeling frustrated and suspicious and you don’t have the patience for it in the moment, then do not engage. You’ll only do harm, to yourself, to them, and to anyone else who reads the discussion.
If it’s clearly bad faith, you report and remove it. It doesn’t actually benefit anyone to discuss with people who are using the question format to spread fascist conspiracy myths. Some posts are very blatant about it.
Don’t pretend to be a telepath, either. The moderators certainly aren’t telepaths. It’s pure speculation.
Even if they’re 30, it’s better late than never for them to learn, right?
If they’re going in without a desire to learn, you can’t really reach them, at least not with forum comments. They’ll probably need some work in person.
Some of these 30yos might even be paid trolls or bots.
Then answer as though they are asking in good faith, remain calm (which can be difficult, I acknowledge), and avoid dismissing their feelings or position. Remember that you’re talking not just to them, but to everybody who reads the exchange in future, and some of those people will need those calm words to turn away from the rabbit hole.
This is the most important part. If they’re arguing in bad faith, or they’re just stubborn and stupid, you’re not going to change their mind even with the kindest and most comprehensive response. But there are lots of people watching, and a lot of those people are trying to decide how they feel about the subject in question.
The best thing you can do is stand out as the voice of reason in an exchange. Your conversational partner might not be convinced, but onlookers will be.
And take breaks. You don’t have to be everyone’s savior. Do the help you can, when you can and just try to make the internet a little safer and happier than you left it.
Tbh, if someone is asking questions, that’s (kind of) already a good sign - even if in bad faith, at least it gives space for expressing an opposing viewpoint instead of just closing off all the discussion with insults and attacks.
I’m definitely not a fan of insults etc. - at worst, I’d just report it. The issue is that some of these bad faith posts are made by rightwing political activists, those aren’t in any way willing to change their point of view and are just binding resources that could be used elsewhere more productively. And if a community is targeted by those types, they can easily destroy it by posting so much that they dominate the feeds.