I mean, swap out the implied “protecting your own (opinion)” with “protecting your own (place on the Internet where we can live largely free from well-meaning but ignorant people, actual bigots, and sea lions)” and I do think that was OP’s point, yes.
That’s valid; but that’s not going to change people’s minds which is exactly what the original statement was talking about. If you’re actually going to engage in a discussion with these people, hostility won’t help. Just block them, and if they are violating the rules of the community/instance, report them. You’re just wasting energy if the only thing you’re going to engage with is name-calling; even if it is warranted.
I mean, swap out the implied “protecting your own (opinion)” with “protecting your own (place on the Internet where we can live largely free from well-meaning but ignorant people, actual bigots, and sea lions)” and I do think that was OP’s point, yes.
That’s valid; but that’s not going to change people’s minds which is exactly what the original statement was talking about. If you’re actually going to engage in a discussion with these people, hostility won’t help. Just block them, and if they are violating the rules of the community/instance, report them. You’re just wasting energy if the only thing you’re going to engage with is name-calling; even if it is warranted.