Pointless

One thing about social media, particularly Facebook, is that it has a way of really showing the ugly side of people. The problems continue with family members who post items that fire me up. A few months ago I did resolve to avoid engagement since it really served no purpose aside from giving attention where it wasn’t really needed. While I’ve kept to my resolution, a couple others still fall into the trap and in the past day or two, a big storm appeared on one of the threads. I didn’t see the original post but it was mentioned to me and when I checked later it had expanded and then further so by this morning when another family member added in more rude and obnoxious comments.

A while back the original posted of this thread had been quite upset when called a troll by another. Funny thing is I don’t think this person quite understood what the term meant at the time because I posted a joke image that references online trolls and this person didn’t quite understand it until I explained. It was made clear at that time this person was still upset about the comment. My thoughts at the time were that the term used may not have been quite so accurate and perhaps a difference wording might have been used. But thinking about it further, perhaps this person really is stirring the pot when posting some items. I feel some posts are aimed squarely at those of us who disagree and sometimes it’s pretty much stated so. In that way, maybe it is kind of trolling. Of course when called out, the perpetrator makes out like he/she is the victim.

I came to this idea after I made messaged a couple of those involved currently to support them. I did say maybe we needed a support group to keep us steering clear…lol. Anyway, thinking of how it’s important not to engage made me think about how trolling works and this kind of is it, even if it’s not out and out trolling in the more “mainstream” sense.

I will admit that seeing this stuff really turns my stomach and makes me feel really awful. I want to privately address this with at least one of these people but have yet to figure how to do it without causing personal hurt. I don’t suppose there’s any way really but I would like it to be so. Meanwhile I will just continue to avoid engagement.

It’s a sad state of being for the world when it’s come to such divisions between family and friends.