Had an interesting discussion over on Nextdoor which I seldom use. But I did join the book club, thinking I’d meet some of my neighbors who are possibly interested in reading similar things.
I decided to read Gulag Archipelago which I finally found in kindle format, and not the mashed up junk I had downloaded from internet archive. Well, it’s three volumes, around 700 pages each! And once I started, I couldn’t stop, couldn’t put it down. So, I mentioned it in the book club in our local nextdoor neighborhood app. One nice guy said he though it should be required reading, as we could see some similarities in our culture today. And then another guy butted in to put him down and call him a racist.
Well, so, I had to engage. The discussion on my part was reasonable and civil. On his part, put downs and calling me names. After a bit, with the first guy engaging as well, the guy went back and deleted several of his rude message.
I mentioned that, and wondered if he had more to contribute other than ad hominems. Long story short, after a while, he posted a link to an WaPo article, which I couldn’t read because I don’t subscribe. We discussed the election lawsuits which he poopooed, and I said he should be looking forward to them, especially since he’s so certain his side won. And he again called me insane, and sick, and said he is blocking me.
Wow. I’m blocked, by a guy who was insulting, rude, name calling, and I’m really thrilled about it! I told someone else of Nextdoor who was being insulted by him to keep engaging, and he would get blocked too! Celebrations all around! Some people are just plain trolls. No question.