A buddy often tells me he argues with strangers on the internet not to change their minds, that never happens, but to ensure he doesn’t change HIS mind.
I try to do this without involving the other person, the stranger.
When I see a terrible (mean or intolerant or…) post, I’ll craft a reply. I’ll state all the reasons the stranger’s post is horrible.
And then I won’t post that reply.
This reinforces to me, to my soul, that the stranger’s post is not what I want to think.
And I don’t have to deal with replies from someone I don’t want to associate with. They don’t get a chance to try to convince me to be a horrible person also.
This has made me a much happier, and, I think, a much kinder person.
(smiles)
