I decided a long time ago I didn't want online posting to take over my life. That was when I decided to only talk to nice people with respectful dialog. Anybody disses me they go on ignore. There are plenty of fine respectful people here whom with to engage plenty enough to provide the discussions I enjoy. After all, there is so much volume here it is not possible to read all the posts, so why not seek out only the highest quality? That means eliminating the trash posts.
I'm not trying to convince anybody of anything, just like to share my view, hear how others believe. Somebody who is all disgruntled and just looking for someone to dump on? I have no time for that, and I don't want that energy in my life. I already can tell what motivates them. No need to see more negativity. They go on ignore.
After I stopped interfacing with rude people, I found myself becoming far more mellow and understanding of others., less confrontational. And I like that energy. Functional communication, imagine that. The ones who want to make things personal? I kind of feel sorry for them. As they disrespect others, they are actually disrespecting themselves.
This is supposed to be about politics, not interpersonal issues. I don't come here for feuds, we/they, or stereotypes. I want to discuss topics and that causes me to research things and learn. The process results in being better informed and learning when I had things wrong. I like learning and correcting my own misconceptions.
Some people are able to clean up their act if asked nicely. Maybe the gruffness is simply habit that they can avoid. Sometimes I find somebody who is intelligent, but has an edge to them. I might PM them and let them know in the nicest way possible I appreciate some of what they say, but will cut off talking if they continue to disrespect me. That usually runs about 50-50. Some respond to a message like that, others just double down. If they double down then I have no qualms over placing them on ignore.
I might go days without posting. I might spend a few hours here at a time. It's what I decide, not a habit I can't control. I feel like I have arrived at a healthy way to enjoy this place. I can truly take or leave it.