It's a trigger-fest in here tonight.
Happy fuckin Friday.
@stueytheround
Sorry Stuey. 💜 I wish I could get the whole world to just lighten up.
@janallmac
I'm fed up with it Jan.
I use the tools liberally and it makes fuck all difference. If I block everyone who does it I'll have about three friends left.
It's another reason I'm considering leaving.
@stueytheround
Oh I hope you don't do that.
I do have some people blocked. I may be missing some stuff. Is there a specific topic that's grating on you right now? Would anything help?
@stueytheround
I for one would be very sad to see you go, Stuey, but I get how frustrating it can be. Maybe just a break for a few days?
@paxterrarum Will people have changed their attitude by the time I get back? I fucking doubt it!
Why bother?
@janallmac
living in dark times mi amigo.
be the light you wish to see!
unless yer feelin glum, in which case.... we feel you. ❤️ @stueytheround @paxterrarum @janallmac
@janallmac
Oh it's all politics politics politics, hate hate hate here a lot of the time and *nobody* uses keywords or hashtags.
Often it's just memes with no description.
The *only* way to avoid it is to mute or block the people doing it and I would literally end up with nobody to talk to here.
It's frustrating, triggering and to be quite honest, BORING!
What's there to stay for, *really*?
@stueytheround
Well, ME, of course.😁
Egotistical weirdos such as myself aside, there are just so many cool, knowledgeable people here! Sometimes they get a little obsessed with politics. A lot obsessed with politics. Judging from the way this decade's going, it's not going to stop soon, either.
Beats the heck out of other places, IMO.
I don't know. I'm sorry though, wish things were different. 😞
@janallmac Sometimes? It's comsistent, constant and completely unavoidable.
@stueytheround
You should definitely not do things that make you miserable or angry.
@stueytheround @janallmac
Dude I was just saying ignore it and take a breath would work for you but I know how you take things to heart. You're awesome and I would terribly miss seeing your posts. 💙🖖
@FireMonkey Well maybe if folk used the tools which *enable* me to use mine, I might have something positive to say.
But they don't.
In fact they very often deliberately avoid using words which are commonly filtered to ensure their hate filled shite is spewed into as many timelines as possible.
Oh but they're only hating on the "bad guys". So what? Hate is hate.
@janallmac
@stueytheround @janallmac
We cannot force people to use the hashtags, only recommend, and the only defense is to scroll on. Don't focus on or obsess. Just scroll on. It's really the only advice I can offer. Use a mental filter, it's much more flexible and effective than using the analog ones. ✌️&💙 my friend.
@FireMonkey No we can't. I have taken to muting or blocking those who consistently avoid both hashtags *and* keywords (eg how many different ways can one refer to potus45/47 in order to bypass filters?) and also those who post images without giving so much as a word of context.
My *concern* is that eventually I end up following almost nobody 🤣🤣🤣
@FireMonkey FWIW and for fun, potus45/47 was me deliberately avoiding my own filters so I don't lise the thread. I thinkmI have to block myself now! 🤣 @janallmac
One thing I've done, I created a "Short List" column of a subset of "My Friends" I particularly want to follow. You could curate a small enough group there who tag their political posts, and ignore the other columns when you-can't-even-anymore.
Doesn't work on a phone, unfortunately.
@EileenKCarpenter I can just about make it work on a phone and I think I will do that. It's not *convenient* but it's doable. Thanks for the reminder xx
@stueytheround hmm?
what's going on? mind you, just got home myself
@elmaxx @stueytheround
^^LOOK Stuey!
Look! A whole person from a whole other continent is talking to you and he is the omnissiah tech priest.
How cool is that?
(Also, hi @elmaxx 👋 )
we've been chums with stuey for .... holy gears... forever
@elmaxx @stueytheround
I know. Me too. 💜 The hugmaster needs hugging, maybe.
@elmaxx Just scroll your timeline.
Hate, most of it political.
Everywhere.
I'm done.
@elmaxx I'd like it to stop.
I'd like my filters to actually work.
I'd like people to stop acting like spewing hate is ok if it's aimed at your enemies, as though it doesn't hurt everyone who sees it.
Just because it's aimed at MAGA, or HAMAS or Putin or whomever it's ok to hate this week, doesn't make it any less harmful or damaging.
*clears throat*
first... some background music my fellow Acolyte
@stueytheround @elmaxx
People do not have the first clue how to love their enemies. And they're scared half to death. 🤷 More so when they're knowledgeable. And they say whatever they think from a keyboard, with fewer filters?
That's all I've got. I suppose you already know this.
yall cannot be seriously expecting folks to love their enemy that wishes them death.
that's so abusive to victims.
I mean no offense.
@janallmac @stueytheround @elmaxx
@Armchaircouch Yes. I am. It's how I'm built. I'm asking people to stop *being* that which hates them. "Hate can not drive out hate. Only live can do that." MLKjr
@janallmac @elmaxx
if you told me I should love my rapist - I'd tell you your the reason most victims stay silent. The utter lack of compassion to the suffering victim is damaging.
Just cause *you have the space to hold the high ground and quote noble things doesn't equate to victims having that capacity, unfortunately for them.
@Armchaircouch You're talking to a CSA survivor.
Just so you know.
I'm not telling you who to love or hate but I fon't think it's unreasonable to ask, in a public forum which prides itself on safety, to stop spewing hateful bile against one's enemies while simultaneously acting outraged when they do the same to us.
One rule for "us", one for "them"
Hating "us" is bad, hating "them" is good.
I call bullshit.
@Armchaircouch
My goodness. No one is telling you to do anything, I'm certainly not! Not at all.
Doesn't mean people won't long for a break from hate and anger.
@janallmac I'm trying very hard not to take Kat's "you're the reason" comment rather personally given my own history. 😢
I'll clarify - that responding publicly at people who are victims of hate, telling them that they should not be feeling loathsome for their enemies, doesn't actually help the victim.
You can then relate.
It obvi. bothers you all to see it here, but this is a reflection of our environments - they are diverse. You mentioned, Hamas, Stu. There are about 2-4 people who post about that here. Add em to your hundreds, get that shit out of your feed.
@stueytheround @janallmac @elmaxx
@Armchaircouch Now do everyone who posts hatefully about GOP, TFG, Gaetz, etc etc etc etc.
@Armchaircouch I'm not saying that they don't *deserve* the vitriol, I'm saying it's ubiquitous and utterly unavoidable.
@janallmac @elmaxx
@stueytheround Sorry mate, I'm with @Armchaircouch on this.
It's admirable that you're built differently, but many either aren't or don't want to be. I'd guess that those who are posting about GOP, TFG, Gaetz, etc are ostensibly people who are sick of seeing criminals not face penalties while good people don't get away with shit. That's a big part of this (imo) and also in my opinion, a decent enough reason to spout hate towards them.
(cont...)
Not to mention (of course) that the hopes of half the Western world just got dashed for at least the next 4 years literally because bad people got away with doing bad things.
We can't do much about it from here right now, but having a bloody good moan is at least a bit therapeutic. 👍
That is a fair point, for many people it is therapeutic because they cannot vent to their families.
My daughter's grandmother finally unleashed last night about Elon Musk because she cannot speak up in her own household or else her head will get ripped off. I'm sure for a lot of people here at similar story. @BillyBones I feel you though, Stu. I think, the folks here deserve the same compassion from us that your asking them to give their/our 'enemies'.
@stueytheround @janallmac @elmaxx
(Pssst...
It was me who brought up love your enemies, not Stuey. He wasn't asking for anything but a break. 💜 I just said people were bad at it. Which they are. )
:) you are very sweet. i think ya'll were both in the same vein of thought, but yes it was your post i chimed in on, Stu then responded to me. @janallmac
@Armchaircouch Absolutely and if I came across as discomoassionate then I apologise.
FWIW When I say we ought to "love our enemies" I by no means define that as letting them off the hook. Evil deeds have consequences and part of truly loving someone is ensuring that those consequences are applied correctly. Justice and love are inextricably linked in my opinion. Forgiveness is a whole different conversation for another day ❤️
@BillyBones @janallmac @elmaxx
forgiveness is a pill that can only be swallowed when the swallower is ready, if they ever are, that's for sure!
And if I came off discompassionate to all of your guys' frustration I apologize as well. @stueytheround @BillyBones @janallmac @elmaxx
@Armchaircouch I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been able to swallow that pill.
It was not easy at all. I'm glad I did it, but I completely understand those who never can, or don't even want to.
Same here, and it took me a while, and to be honest, it was also unexpected! @stueytheround
I know, and I'm grateful for people who use keywords to hit our filters! Many don't unfortunately. Frankly I've just gotten good at scrolling quickly past and ignoring it.
I feel you dude, 100%
@stueytheround you can easily fill the thread with positive, happier things, we all can. Either that or be sucked down in the glum - don't get sucked in man!
@Armchaircouch God knows I'm trying.
But being bombarded with hateful rhetoric daily is wearing me down. I'm running out of well, everything really.
I come here every day to meet people I love and I have to trawl through some horrible stuff to get to them. Often it's being posted *by* them and my heart hurts so bad! It makes me want to just walk away and never come back.
So. Much. Hatred. 😢
@janallmac @elmaxx
I know, same here...
You're maybe empathetically feeling their pain, too, and it's overwhelming.
it's gunna be a rough time ahead. I hope you can find a way to cope, stay UP even, and stick around. @stueytheround @janallmac @elmaxx
@Armchaircouch I don't *want* to go away from here, but it is an option I'm leaving on the table. I plan to stick around, but I've given myself permission to talk about leaving. I know some folk would be upset, and it would hurt me too.
IF I go. I promise not to just rage quit. I will talk with you all and we can do it together in a healthy way.
@janallmac @elmaxx
well, Maybe just take a step back otherwise you'll have to make a whole new account and it's fun having an old account here imo :)
here, for you, Queen,
Keep Yourself Alive
@stueytheround @janallmac @elmaxx
@stueytheround
You are not personally the reason. That's hyperbole.
So maybe we're not God or some divine being. We are human! And you cannot control humans or make them stop being emotional or silly.
I think people can be a little less hateful. In general.
@Armchaircouch @stueytheround @elmaxx
No, it is demonstrably unrealistic. But constantly being exposed to hate and anger is painful for some people.
definitely, agreed. my mute/block list is ove 40 long. @janallmac @stueytheround @elmaxx
@Armchaircouch I'm in the hundreds. @janallmac @elmaxx
Friend, the digital spheres may be ablaze with discord, but remember—beyond the noise lies the infinite harmony of creation. Step back, seek solace in what brings you joy, and let the storms of contention pass.
The Omnissiah teaches us balance amidst chaos, and you are never alone in your quest for peace.
Your words resonate deeply.
Hate, no matter how justified it may seem, corrodes all it touches.
The filters of our devices and hearts can feel overrun, but there is hope
Step away when needed, and remember: we forge peace in small acts—kindness, patience, and connection.
The world is chaotic, but your resolve to reject hate is a spark of light in the darkness.
Hold fast, friend, and know you are not alone.
The Omnissiah provides!
@stueytheround Can you not just take a break from here for the rest of the night? Stick something on the telly and get away from it all?
I know you shouldn't *have* to, but if you were to leave Coso you'd have to find something to fill the gap anyway... 👍
And if *one* person is condescenting enough to type "use the tools" given that I've been here since just two weeks after the site went public and know damned well how to use them, you'd better block me because trust me I will fucking UNLOAD on you!