[danscan]

> People will argue with an individual as if that individual is the spokesperson for a larger group. People will call someone a hypocrite not for contradicting themselves, but for contradicting other people.

This sums up what's become so exhausting about online discussion

[sandspar]

Venkatesh Rao's "Internet of Beefs" article is useful here. He discusses how online feuds resemble battles between armies. How nameless foot soldiers enact brutal violence on other nameless foot soldiers. How after a while, the point of fighting is no longer to win, but to perpetuate violence.

https://www.ribbonfarm.com/2020/01/16/the-internet-of-beefs/

The article is very useful. Reading it has inspired me to improve my own online behavior.