13 Comments
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Shane Cannon's avatar

What do you mean by that? 🤪

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Jeanette van Dijk's avatar

😉

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Paula Morais's avatar

Wow! I am not a native English speaker, and I have a hard time reading English! Neverthless I must thank you: your words helped me understand my radical right-wing fascist family members.

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Jeanette van Dijk's avatar

Ha ha, thanks! It really works both ways. The main thing is to stay polite and to keep in mind it’s not personal. But a bit of mental hygiene never hurts ;)

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Alan Page Memes.'s avatar

Are you a Communist?

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Jeanette van Dijk's avatar

Ha ha ha ha ha

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Kat's avatar

Wow, this is very insightful! Saving to reread, there's a lot to unpack here. Thank you!

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Beyondmanyborders's avatar

These people are taught these techniques. I experienced it the other day debating a leftist that he should simply condemn murder and not caveat it with I disagree with this person’s ideology. He went the I am curious route explain yourself.

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MattD's avatar

Jeanette, this is dead on. I don’t post much anywhere but watch online discussions quite a bit. I have been wondering lately if these (initially passive aggressive) posts are actually bots because they are nearly identical in form. The context or content could easily be gathered from the originating post and then automated as if programmed or scripted from there on out. I just can’t believe that these indoctrinated people are smart enough to follow the script so well and seemingly every time. But then again, maybe there isn’t a meaningful difference between an indoctrinated person and a programmed bot.

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Jeanette van Dijk's avatar

Thank you Matt, you're quite right on that robotic thinking (although I am sure there are many bots out there as well). Will follow up on that later in the series!

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Jan Van C's avatar

I recognize the pattern from my own experience. It's frustrating and pointless to engage with anyone who isn't open for debate, exchange of ideas. The outcome need not necessarily end in agreement, but rather in understanding an other person's viewpoint.

Will need to read it again. It's well written.

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Eva De Vor's avatar

Such an interesting article, thank you. Looking forward to the rest of this serie.

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TJ's avatar

Clearest sign is when they don’t agree with you

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