Comment by conductr

I get what the author is trying to convey but for me, I find avoiding sources of offense leads to a happier life. Primarily, this means low social media consumption. I spend about 15 minutes a week catching up with the happenings of my family and a few actual friends. I try to ignore the rest, but even when I see something I disagree with or take offense to, I just don’t engage. I also try to mirror this in meatspace. I certainly like a debate with certain people, it’s a great conversation. But most people I find just like to argue and will stand their ground until death even when faced with evidence/proof/reason of the contrary. I don’t need that type of debate. I’m always willing to admit I may be wrong or have outdated/incomplete information and a lot of people just don’t engage on that same level. I suppose this represents the “shutting down” but why would I continue a conversation where someone is obviously having strong convictions and I believe it’s absolute rubbish (based on lies, wrong facts, regurgitated news media opinions as truths, etc)