The problem I have with social media at the moment is this idea that people ought to be condemned for their opinions, that to express an unpopular point of view is to grant others the right to attack you. All opinions have a source in experience and knowledge; to know if your information or experience is incorrect is no easy task. In fact, it’s a task most of us never actually want to do in the first place. Feeling right is a great feeling, to give that up isn’t easy. You’re not going to encourage anyone to examine their own opinions, with a view to changing them, by an attempt of force, ridicule or abuse.
It’s no horrific crime to have a go at someone because they’ve expressed an opinion somewhere that bothers you, but don’t pretend that it’s a good action either. I read things all the time that piss me off but unless it has been said to me specifically I do not find just cause to retaliate or fire off my own opinion at the poor sod in question. Blogs, twitter accounts, social media accounts in general are personal spaces of expression, yet open to public view. However, just as someone would be extremely rude to butt in on a conversation overheard outdoors; on the internet, it is no less rude. It is reaching the point where a person can be hated as much for an opinion as someone who actually does something harmful to another person. They are referred to as “a piece of shit” or suchlike, regardless. This is complete bollocks and ignorant of a basic fact about all people. We all think of and say mean, irresponsible or ignorant things; it makes no sense to accuse someone as guilty of an action, as though unique, when it is something we are all guilty of.
