If a stranger’s opinion bothers you, it’s partly because you’re afraid that their opinion might be correct. But remember: fear is the mind-killer.
The words of an untrusted stranger have never successfully challenged anyone’s biases or worldview.
Thou shalt not accept friend requests from total strangers
Zero friends in common? Treat with suspicion.
If you feel you must send a friend request to a stranger, you must also send a message explaining why you’d like to add them as a friend. It’s not 2002 anymore.
Thou shalt always check the source
Just because someone you trust posted something, that doesn’t mean it’s true.
Just because someone went to the trouble of making a meme, that doesn’t mean it’s true.
There are trolls out there making fresh false memes every single day.
Treat all newsworthy information as false until corroborated by a reputable, external source. Exit the social media interface and find the information yourself.
Review the domain name and date of any article you post or read. If it’s not a reputable media outlet or institution that you’ve ever heard of, chances are good that it’s bunk.
If you are of the belief that no sources are reputable, then good luck ever convincing anyone of anything. You should stop talking to people; you’re wasting their time and yours.
Thou shalt always read the article before commenting
If you don’t, be prepared to miss important details and context and be judged accordingly.
Thou shalt comment with intention
Before commenting, always ask yourself what you hope your comment will accomplish.
Do not comment unless you are prepared to receive replies.
Thou shalt remain civil
In any contentious exchange, usage of derogatory name-calling, all caps, or multiple exclamation points will void any credibility you may have earned, and you will forfeit the debate.
Anyone who uses the word “cuck” forfeits all credibility.
Thou shalt not say anything on social media thou wouldnst say in public
If you are prepared to besmirch certain groups of people, always be prepared to say it to their faces in the real world. Anything less is cowardice.
Have a spicy opinion about Muslims, Christians, Republicans, Democrats, atheists, gays, or trans people? Go find one and tell them in person and see what happens.
Can you be sure the person you’re engaging with is not a Russian troll? Can you be sure they are mentally stable? Are they a 9th grader? Are they a 45-year old with a 9th grade education and no pants? If you don’t know the answer, you should avoid wasting your time.
Avoid attempting to reason people out of opinions they have not reasoned themselves into.
If you’re not paying for it, you are the thing being sold
Social media is free because your eyeballs are being harvested and sold for ad revenue. If you want to read real news, you need to pay money to a newsgathering organization that employs fact-checkers.
Turn off 24-hour cable news. CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Newsmax, OAN, all of it. It was a mistake. If you must read CNN.com just do it for breaking news. All analyses from these outlets are specifically designed to keep your eyeballs glued to the TV for the next word from their sponsor.
