I used to think that Reddit was the worst about that but Lemmy has topped it. Reddit would be filled with comments from people that were off about something small that I’m a SME about. People on Lemmy like to engage in entire comment chains that are just flat out wrong that they’re confidently incorrect about.
I’ve been on the internet long enough I can have the entire argument with myself at this point. I’ve taken to just posting what I want and forgetting about it. They can’t all be bangers.
I can mindlessly reply no problem. But in the few times I’ve stopped myself from replying, I’ve asked, “will this post and potential replies bring me any value, be it educational, entertaining or similar?”
Very often, and it doesn’t help that my replies tend to be absurdly long
Towards the end, I either realize that what I want to say has already been said by someone, the argument isn’t worth it (like you said), or what’s on my mind really isn’t worth bothering other people over.
I guess most see it as a bad thing. As waste, or resignation. But here’s the good story!
It can be a fruitful inner dialogue. While writing the comment, you engage with the topic, which changes your mind. That’s a healthy and good thing! If in the end, your result is “I’d rather not post that, because …”, then this reason is the insight you gained by writing that comment.
Sometimes I realize flaws in my reasoning this way. And I’m happy to catch them! Imagine if it was not asynchronous written conversation, but real time face to face.
Of course there are many reasons to delete a draft. If it’s mostly insecurity, I’d encourage people to give it a try. Experiences are what bring you forward, and if it’s only to learn what not to repeat in the future.
If you already went through the trouble of collecting facts and have the nerves, go for it. There are too many idiots filling the comment sections of most social media platforms. Don’t let them be the only ones who are being heard / read. We need more of those usually silent people speaking up.
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