Online Hostility: What Happened to Agreeing to Disagree?

Heaven protect me from people who say, “I have the right to my opinion” so few of them are prepared to allow me the same compliment!

What precipitated this blog was a remark I made on Facebook which was answered by “You’re a *@#% idiot why don’t you shut up and keep your stupid opinions to yourself?”

What did I say that was so offensive?  The discussion was about the treatment of animals in a foreign country and I said “When you see how they treat their people, is it any wonder they are cruel to their animals.” The country in question has an appalling human rights record, but apparently you can criticise the treatment of animals, but not of humans?

What pisses me off, is not that people disagree, it is how they disagree. Calling someone an idiot is hardly conducive to a useful exchange of ideas.  I have friends of many years standing who hold very different views to mine.  Does it matter?  No! Will we change our views? Highly unlikely!

What we have in common is respect for each other and for each others opinions.  We just agree to disagree, really quite simple!

I refuse to condemn Facebook; in fact, through it I have reconnected with some people I haven’t seen in years.  I see photos of children I am yet to meet and have met some lovely people in many countries.  But it is so easy to push the post button.

Some years back, I wrote a blistering email to some work colleagues and before sending it, had my boss check it for accuracy.  His comments implied that whilst he agreed with the point I was making, it might be a good idea to leave it a day or two before I sent it.

What a clever man he was!  My original wording, very polite but inflamed, sent to people already overworked and stressed, would have elicited replies to the effect of “get lost!”  Co-operation from my colleagues would have ceased.  Instead I moderated my language, the point was made and we stayed friends.

Just recently the beautiful Charlotte Dawson died.  Such a troubled woman, but she had the guts to stand up to the cyber bullies even though doing so opened her to even more vile abuse.  I didn’t know Charlotte so like most of us I only recently found out about her long battle with depression.

When I was called a “*@#% idiot” on Facebook, did that person, (not a “Friend” of mine), think for one moment what effect their remark might have on me? As they don’t know me they don’t know my circumstances; they don’t know my state of mind.  But seemingly your “right to my opinion” supersedes any and all rights I, or anyone else, may have!

I have a strong belief in myself, positive reinforcement from family and friends, love and peace in my life; your opinion of me won’t destroy me, even if it bruises my ego a bit; that makes me one of the lucky ones.

I believe we all have a right to our opinions and, along with many others, will defend this right to the death.  I only ask that before we POST, we ask ourselves “What do I know about the person who will read my opinion?  Am I prepared to live with any consequences of this post?”

Have you ever been offended by a comment on Facebook? Do you find people are too liberal with their opinions on Facebook?  

We invite people in our community to submit their “What Pisses me off” for our Sunday Column… Click here to submit your “What pisses me off” story to Starts at Sixty.