Jens Oliver Meiert

The Reverse A-Hole Rule of Social Media

Published on Dec 15, 2022 (updated Oct 20, 2024), filed under (feed). (Share this on Mastodon or Bluesky?)

Inspired by toxicity on Twitter, I drafted this months before Mr. Musk took over the platform, prompting everyone many to move to healthier platforms like Mastodon. But, not for the first time, I’m opting to publish this eventually.

If we cancel an a-hole on social media; and for one of many possible reasons we got our facts wrong; then we can guess who’s the a-hole.

There are many disagreeable viewpoints out there. There are probably many disagreeable people out there, too. But leaving aside reasons to listen to whom we disagree with, there’s a point at which our defense against disagreeable viewpoints and people becomes an offense—when it’s us who become disagreeable.

Why? For many reasons. It’s hard to know everything. It’s hard to tell when someone acted out of ignorance or out of intent. It’s hard to be perfect. Therefore, when we ask others to know everything and constantly act to our constant liking, are we the good force we deem ourselves to be? When we punish—cancel—, but erred in our assessment, are we being fair? Or is there a point at which we become worse, than those we judge?

At certain points swift horsemen wait. A scout appears, gives his information and within the hour, the King would [hear] it.
The King didn’t cancel. (Copyright King Features Syndicate, Inc., distr. Bulls.)

(Yes, “reverse” refers to “rule,” and not “a-hole.” Then, as previously, there are limits and exceptions. For example, if we block someone like Mr. Trump, there are ample data points suggesting we made an excellent call.)

About Me

Jens Oliver Meiert, on November 9, 2024.

I’m Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and I’m a web developer, manager, and author. I’ve been working as a technical lead and engineering manager for companies you’ve never heard of and companies you use every day, I’m an occasional contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and I write and review books for O’Reilly and Frontend Dogma.

I love trying things, not only in web development and engineering management, but also in other areas like philosophy. Here on meiert.com I share some of my experiences and views. (I value you being critical, interpreting charitably, and giving feedback.)