Edit: My own solution: when it happens, get off the computer and pet the dog.

So let’s say I make a point on a post. I put forward my argument and I support it with evidence.

Now let’s say the first comment is from someone who disagrees with me, but seems to fundamentally misunderstand what I am saying, probably because they read the title of the post and immediately posted the first thing that came to mind.

But my fear, acquired from Reddit, is that people are going to read this guy’s totally inaccurate presentation of my argument and then every comment in the rest of the discussion will proceed as if that’s what I said.

And since, as we all know, fear leads to hate, my first instinct is just to berate this person for being a stupid moron.

This is a bad strategy. Not only is probably against Lemmy rules, it automatically makes me the bad guy.

So: question: how do I handle this person without tediously restating my position again, which is extremely irritating because I already wrote it once and they didn’t read it the first time. What I want is to say something that quickly quarantines the misreading comment in people’s minds so the misreading doesn’t infect the entire thread.

  • Rivalarrival@lemmy.todayEnglish
    0·
    1 month ago

    Respond with a couple of emojis. No actual text. Doesn’t particularly matter what emojis you choose, just pick a couple at random. The more obscure the better.

    If they aren’t going to bother reading what you wrote, let them try to find meaning in 🥔🗑️.

  • LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    0·
    1 month ago

    Step 1. Remember the points don’t matter

    Step 2. Remember it doesn’t matter if these people agree with you.

    Step 3: Why should we even care if they mistook what we were saying

    Step 4. If they agree feel ever so warm inside and justified in thinking what you thought… (Ignore all previous steps)

  • otacon239@lemmy.world
    0·
    1 month ago

    The rules are made up and the points don’t matter. At the end of the day, trying to argue with someone on the internet who does not have good faith in trying to hear your side of things is ultimately a pointless endeavour. Ignore them and move on.

    • JohnnyEnzyme@piefed.socialEnglish
      0·
      1 month ago

      In PF one can also add a note to their acct.

      This is useful when a person seems pretty reasonable overall, but has some hangup upon particular issues. Actually it’s incredibly common IMO, starting with myself. 😅

  • Tanis Nikana@lemmy.world
    0·
    1 month ago

    Sometimes I give myself downvotes. Points don’t matter. Block people you find frustrating. Enjoy the people you like. Do whatever, just don’t break the rules.

    I’m downvoting this.

  • Zozano@aussie.zoneEnglish
    0·
    1 month ago

    How to handle it: don’t

    Let other people in the comments downvote and correct them.

    • Ace T'Ken@lemmy.caEnglish
      0·
      1 month ago

      But they don’t correct them often, especially if it’s a longer post that has some nuance to it. People here don’t like nuance. I’m not sure nearly people anywhere do anymore. That would involve a reading and understanding people you actively disagree with.

  • EmilieEasie@fedinsfw.appEnglish
    0·
    1 month ago

    Block them is a good strategy but also try to stick to communities that don’t have that kind of hostile attitude. The culture of each community is different. I try to stay away from reddit-like behavior too.

  • pelespirit@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    1 month ago

    Make one clarifying point comment and then move on.

    An example of how to do it:

    You: EVs are better for the environment

    Comment: Why are you saying that China should rule the world?

    You: I’m saying that EV’s are better for the environment no matter who makes them. Last comment.

    An example on how not to do it:

    You: EVs are better for the environment

    Comment: Why are you saying that China should rule the world?

    You: I never said that you asshole. Why are you sticking up for China, you fucking tankie. You’re a troll piece of shit, etc., etc.,

    Comment: You said China is amazing, you obviously want to go down on them

    You: Why are you saying this shit? Etc., etc., etc. blah, blah, blah

          • pelespirit@sh.itjust.works
            0·
            1 month ago

            It took awhile to get rid of that for me too. I can spot the trolls pretty easily here though, there are about 10 accounts maybe? I sometimes fall for the trap, but it’s getting rarer and rarer. I have found their patterns, but sometimes it takes me a few comments to see that it’s bad faith.

            I think Lemmy/Piefed is so much less addicting, that it doesn’t really matter as much. I guess because the anger is the part that’s addicting and I never realized I was in it until I got away. It’s really strange though, I just quit cold turkey. Which is great, but strange. I’m so glad I did.

            • schipelblorp@sh.itjust.worksOP
              0·
              1 month ago

              When you use “troll”, are you implying intent? I think some people are just poor readers, and having decided they are right, now blindly argue for their position regardless of any information.

              • pelespirit@sh.itjust.works
                0·
                1 month ago

                I’m absolutely implying intent. There are trolls here, for sure. I probably see it more because I mod a larger community and I’m in politics a lot. If you avoid those communities, you probably have a different perspective. People misunderstand too, and if I get it wrong I apologize.

  • TrackinDaKraken@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    1 month ago

    This is one reason I don’t read DMs.

    I stopped trying to have conversations on Reddit years ago, I don’t think it would go any better here.

    Shit post, have a laugh, don’t take anything people say to you seriously, they don’t know you, and you can’t change their mind.