Social media mobs are everywhere these days. I want to tell you: there is *no* context where joining a mob to dogpile on someone with your own insults is a good idea. So don't do it.
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You're probably not a good judge of whether the target "deserves it", and even if the target is in fact a bad person, joining a harassment campaign is always counterproductive. There are no exceptions.
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First of all, you don't know the target. Chances are it's just a regular person acting in good faith -- not a monster, not a troll. Often, harassment campaigns are not organic, but motivated -- started by 1/2 people who see the target as a competitor or otherwise a personal enemy
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I've personally had pretty vile harassment campaigns run against me by people who saw my work on Keras as a threat to them. I still get occasional insult emails -- it's been going on since 2017. I'm pretty sure it started from just one person.
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Second, even if you're sure the target is a bad person, acting in bad faith -- a troll -- dunking on them is playing right into their hands. Trolls feed off attention and controversy. So don't help them.
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Lastly, personal attacks aren't the right way to further the goals you believe in. I get it, you feel pressure to weigh in lest you be perceived as being on the wrong side of the controversy of the day, and you want to show off your first-rate snark to your peers. Still, don't.
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If you feel angry and you want to say something, then say something positive about what you believe in. Instead of quote-tweeting the bad guy, promote someone who deserves it. Go make someone's day. The dogpile doesn't need you.
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End of conversation
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