Someone says something factually incorrect (usually about trans people, usually a “detrans lesbian” who is most certainly a 21 year old cis man alternating between /pol/ and tumblr). Just straight up lies. You call them out, they block you, and then continue posting lies.
I get blocking as a tool for mental health, avoiding harassment, keeping one’s sanity - but it’s problematic when blocks are used to hide lies.
The issue with blocking, if it prevents the blocked party from seeing posts/comments, is it can and will be used to shape public opinion. Somebody did an experiment on Reddit some time back and showed that after a few rounds of blocking all naysayers, they could post pretty much anything and have it upvoted because all people who disagreed couldn’t see the content. An echo chamber, essentially. Combine that with mod powers and it’s ripe for abuse.
It’s really obnoxious on tumblr.
Someone says something factually incorrect (usually about trans people, usually a “detrans lesbian” who is most certainly a 21 year old cis man alternating between /pol/ and tumblr). Just straight up lies. You call them out, they block you, and then continue posting lies.
I get blocking as a tool for mental health, avoiding harassment, keeping one’s sanity - but it’s problematic when blocks are used to hide lies.
Especially problematic if used by a comm owner - they outright become a mini admin in their comm.
Make your own community?
The issue with blocking, if it prevents the blocked party from seeing posts/comments, is it can and will be used to shape public opinion. Somebody did an experiment on Reddit some time back and showed that after a few rounds of blocking all naysayers, they could post pretty much anything and have it upvoted because all people who disagreed couldn’t see the content. An echo chamber, essentially. Combine that with mod powers and it’s ripe for abuse.