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Forgiveness and Grains of Salt
11 years ago
General
I am upset, far more upset than I ought to be. I came across a comment today where someone was warning people about me and apparently something I had done in the past. I don't recall at all what they are talking about and it's something I particularly find upsetting because on the face of it I completely agree with the kind of behavior that I am being charged with having done.
I won't go into details as it could only possibly lead to problems for this person, and I already sent a note to hopefully put the issue to bed. I just wanted to say something because I see this sort of similar thing going on with other admins and it worries me.
I see often when a site is brought up or the admins are discussed misinformation abounds and is almost never corrected. Users get understandably upset and give reasons for their feelings, but these comments are rarely given context and in time become more and more inaccurate through the grapevine.
Things like claiming an admin to be into a questionable activity because 5+ years ago they explored art slightly related to that subject. Claiming an admin is sexist or racist due to a single misconstrued conversation years ago.
This isn't a call to say never to question authority. Never to be upset. Being upset happens, people are going to give their own reasons, but it would be nice to see these sorts of dangerous misinformation comments not be simply accepted and added to the rhetoric. Or at least when such a comment is heard people look into the details because a person that is upset cannot fully portray the issue, and that's fine, that's natural, it's just hard when that sort of thing lingers without question.
I'm probably fortunate in that this is the first time I've seen something in regards to my being an admin that genuinely upset me. Hopefully we can find a solution, or if not I can pay more attention and live my life in a way opposite of that claim.
Edit: talked it out and the problem has been worked out. Was a mistake.
I won't go into details as it could only possibly lead to problems for this person, and I already sent a note to hopefully put the issue to bed. I just wanted to say something because I see this sort of similar thing going on with other admins and it worries me.
I see often when a site is brought up or the admins are discussed misinformation abounds and is almost never corrected. Users get understandably upset and give reasons for their feelings, but these comments are rarely given context and in time become more and more inaccurate through the grapevine.
Things like claiming an admin to be into a questionable activity because 5+ years ago they explored art slightly related to that subject. Claiming an admin is sexist or racist due to a single misconstrued conversation years ago.
This isn't a call to say never to question authority. Never to be upset. Being upset happens, people are going to give their own reasons, but it would be nice to see these sorts of dangerous misinformation comments not be simply accepted and added to the rhetoric. Or at least when such a comment is heard people look into the details because a person that is upset cannot fully portray the issue, and that's fine, that's natural, it's just hard when that sort of thing lingers without question.
I'm probably fortunate in that this is the first time I've seen something in regards to my being an admin that genuinely upset me. Hopefully we can find a solution, or if not I can pay more attention and live my life in a way opposite of that claim.
Edit: talked it out and the problem has been worked out. Was a mistake.
I see you as an awesome fursuiter, someone who has been kind to me, I don't see you in a bad light nor will I ever. Hold your head up high and give these drama lamas the middle finger. Be yourself and be happy at just being you!
*hugs*
It's just that in some of the cases it's not fair and the thing in question is far in the past or irrelevant.
It's good people are trying to look out for one another, to make a safe place for each other. It's just hard to see people that are scared or hurt and will immediately become defensive which in turn makes their safe place impossible, it's pushing away those that do want to help but may not be fully able to help in exactly the way they expect.
it's a hard balance to maintain. Protecting yourself from being hurt further, but accepting enough to be open to those that can help you.
Hopefully over time a better balance is found, but I don't particularly blame others for being stupid, or not bright, or ignorant. It's not any of that in my opinion, it's a natural human thing. There's a saying that a drowning man in his panic will lash out at those around them and try to drag people down with them, that's largely how I look at this. On the surface it's not logical, it's not helpful to the drowning man, but in the moment of terror and in the act of drowning i seems like there's no other choice just to keep your head above water.
I'm not saying all furs are like this but there are a strong contingent of them who are.
The problem I have with assuming it's just idiots or people out for harm is that it becomes me vs. them, which isn't the case. It's a poor outcome of human nature, we all do it at some point. People just aren't designed to think rationally about things from the get go.
It sucks and I would like people to start looking at info more, but I don't think they don't out of sheer stupidity, just because they're scared or angry and don't think to check.
It's rough sometimes to see people say something extreme when they are upset and see that info just spread and keep going and hurt someone years down the line when the situation doesn't call for that.
it seems like the issue with the internet is now we have something where information never really disappears and people forget the idiot that said something stupid 5 years ago is not the same as the person now.
But, as long as you're cool beans now, those things from your past shouldn't be an issue.
PSH-AW.
Studying Philosophy ISN'T boring. :P
There's nothing to say at this point.
Don't let any user give you crap you don't need!
Like I said earlier, I'm not even really mad, it's people doing what they thinks protects others. The problem is just a lot of added nonsense is being put on that spreads around and doesn't really stop.
It is true spreading misinformation is wrong. I do not support the spreading of rumors, gossip, or misinformation. If it is not certain then it should not be spread, but truth is different. The spread of truth is essential. I want to take this away from fandoms or just spreading information about individuals to a more abstract approach.
Information is the most powerful tool of the human race, and the truth specifically is essential for growth. censorship of the truth has lead to catastrophic tragedy to the point of massive destruction of life. The truth should never be censored for te value of human life and autonomy. That being said that doesn't mean knowing a fursuit builder uses bad practices is a life and death matter, but when you draw the line at hiding truths and not sharing it you create a bad precedent. You give a foothold.
I personally feel that in regards to truth, actual proven true matters that censorship is not appropriate.
Again though, that does not mean misinformation or spin is acceptable, in fact that makes it more deplorable.
its certainly something hard to simply end, because it's not the case that such things are always wrong. Often people have and will do awful things and try to use the internet to hide and repeat that cycle. however sometimes people just over react to things and claim something to be much more damaging and much more present than it is. Like calling someone a pedophile for drawing shota 5-6 years ago and not once since.