[cryptonector]

There are consequences though, namely reputational damage.

"Careful what you say online" is a big part of what we teach our kids nowadays. It's a variant of "careful what you say in public", with everything now being public.

[lylecubed]

Reputation among whom? The internet is the home of many different subcultures with different standards for behavior. Behaviors that are considered damaging to some are considered badges of honor to others. The Troll subculture immediately springs to mind.

[cryptonector]

One reputation-damaging comment that the Internet never forgets and you might have a hard time getting a job.

[lylecubed]

Getting a job where? Just like the internet is home to many different subcultures, so is the USA. A political comment that makes you unhireable in Silicon Valley could make you a more attractive hire to a defense contractor.

On a personal note, I once was denied a job based on the fact that I made a one-off comment 5 years previous that I was starting to dislike Object Oriented Programming. That's all it took to convince this company I wasn't fit to work for them.

If a comment that innocuous can be used as a reason not to hire, then you have two choices: never say anything online ever or stop worrying about it. I opt for the latter. So has most of Gen Z. Worrying if expressing utter mundanity online is going to be used against you is no way to live.