One of those cases where it’s both trolling •and• a serious argument that deserves more consideration:https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:2xzjzuyrgz6dmjy2xdhlawgl/post/3lxuhopj6522j

If it’s true that left-leaning people are cutting right-wingers out of their lives, he asks, is it because folks on the left are less tolerant — or because people people on the right are less tolerable? Which could it be?

Well, gosh, who knows…let’s see here, could it be that “social dominance orientation,” “authoritarianism,” “psychopathic propensities,” “malevolent disposition,” and “reduced empathy” make a person less tolerable? Do ya think? (spoken in dripping rhetorical question voice)

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0092656625000704?via%3Dihub

@inthehands I don't find the question important. One can often defuse confrontations by being polite and friendly even when others are rude. Example: a chance encounter with a Texan who insulted and demeaned California, where I live. "I spent a lot of time in TX on business for my last job," I responded. "I was delighted by how friendly everyone was." A pollite response encourages the angry individual to see you a person. Rather than get angry, the polite responder is, if nothing else, happy that they've at least attempted to have a conversation.

@alison @inthehands I'm going to say this as a Texan - why should you do the work? Why are we who are tolerant and compassionate burdened with catering to the bullshit of loud bigots, bending over backwards to get them to behave like decent folk and see us as people?

If this was some random grumpy ignorant individual, IMO conventional rules of compassion would be appropriate - I'm totally with your approach. Unfortunately we are up against well-funded organized hatred. IMO, there should be a social cost to being an aggressive dickhead, not necessarily tit-for-tat "Well, Texas is a shithole Mr. All-Hat-And-No-Cattle" abuse - but refusing to interact with them in any way that gives them satisfaction. No agreement, no argument, just quietly locking them out. Make them feel small and alone and ignored and make it real fucking clear it's because of the attitude they chose to walk in with.

By and large, Texans are surprisingly friendly and gregarious. But "don't start none and there won't be none" is a well-understood concept here. You want to walk in with performative cruelty and get treated with gracious hospitality? Think again, hoss. Sort your shit out or turn around and don't let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya...

@inthehands @arclight asks: "I'm going to say this as a Texan - why should you do the work?" Because you yourself will feel happier.