Read on Twitter
Today on Twitter I saw something I disagreed with. I know, shocker. When this happens I ask myself a series of questions. First, do I have a direct personal relationship with this person? If the answer is "no" then I move on.
There is no reason to engage with someone I have no currency with and without knowing anything about their history, motives, or desire for productive conversation. Especially on a platform that doesn't easily allow for understanding and is already known for amplifying rage.
I also refuse to give any oxygen to it by quote tweeting, screenshotting, or shaming. I remain convinced that these things simply enflame and divide and have a seriously low cultural ROI. It's all fuel for divisive discourse and counterproductive to understanding or change.
If I do know the person, I ask myself if this is a chance for public discourse or private conversation. The answer depends on many factors but primarily it's a question of benefit and degree of controversy. The answer to this question is "private conversation" 90% of the time.
Today I had a private chat that was valuable to both myself and the friend I was having it with. We were both given the opportunity to grow and learn from the other's perspective. I emerged from it feeling great about our relationship and discourse. This is how growth happens.
To summarize, there IS a place for positive disagreement and discourse, but it is, with few exceptions, not here. It FEELS more impactful to see 1000 likes, but those generally represent tribal conformity not actual change.
Let's have more one on one private conversations with people who see things differently than us. This is where true change can happen for them AND for you.
And if you disagree, it's certainly up to you how to respond, but my DMs are open. :)
And if you disagree, it's certainly up to you how to respond, but my DMs are open. :)
