[nickff]

It seems to me that the fact people are self-censoring is a problem, regardless of what their views are. Questioning the legitimacy of their views here is unlikely to help, and seems like victim-blaming.

[tayo42]

No one can answer the op with out examples. Otherwise we're responding to made up scenarios in our head.

Two off the top of my head, he wants to say things perceived as hurtful on hot topics (trans rights for example)

Or he's bringing up controversial opinions at times where it seemed forced. I know personally this happened with a gun comment here

Edit for a third, he could be a "hard truth" guy and just saying things that come off insulting

[Freedom2]

I'll say it - NodeJS isn't that bad, and frontend development can be quite pleasant sometimes.

(Just trying to lighten the mood, a bit)

[Zetice]

Couldn’t disagree more. Self censorship is a huge part of a functioning society and without it, we’re much worse off.

People need to find ways to express themselves productively, and when they don’t, other people must have the freedom to express their displeasure, or we won’t reap the benefits of free speech.

[effingwewt]

Your comment makes zero sense.

So people need to self-censor and only express themselves in approved 'productive' ways, because if they lose the freedom to express their displeasure we lose the benefits of free speech?

How about adults need to act like adults and take ownership of their own feelings and let others do the same?

You can't have censorship and freedom of speech they are antithetical.

[Zetice]

Feelings are free expressions, you can’t have freedom of speech without letting people express their reactions to your expressions, and you considering others is baseline pro social behavior.

Self censorship is a fantastic thing, a critical behavior in a cooperative group, and necessary for free speech.

Unthinkingly seeing “censorship” and reacting with “That’s bad!” isn’t helpful.

[troutwine]

I don't know that I would call a community disagreeing with you -- however loosely defined 'community' is on a semi-anonymous site -- victimizing. Downvoting is not shouting fire in a crowded theater; it's an expression of speech on the part of the voter. Not one that can be responded to directly, sure, but presumably at least some downvotes are an expression of disagreement that don't rise to the threshold of response on the part of the voter.

Brigading is another matter and limit my comment to 'normal' up/down vote patterns.

[thrwy_918]

>It seems to me that the fact people are self-censoring is a problem, regardless of what their views are

You really think there are no views that should be self-censored? There exist many views that I believe are not worthy of being aired in public