Also, on that thread, I ultimately found the discussions quite helpful! I joke about my foolishness in engaging, and maybe it didn't alter my opinion in a huge way. But, everyone made me think much harder about the topic and forced me to make my own positions concrete.
-
-
I've also been invited to stuff that they're absolutely no way I would have without Twitter. It's a strange place, but we have to be aware of the nasty stuff too. Because even despite all this lovely social and professional stuff, I was considering leaving Twitter in 2017...
-
It really was such a terrible experience. And I mean within science Twitter. There are some very horrible views and behaviours, which I have a thick skin to interpersonally but no tolerance for on a higher level.
-
And the reason it happens is because people don't notice, and through ignorance and inaction really exclusive spaces that harm are formed. I don't want to contribute to a space even indirectly which is even 1% toxic without calling it out.
-
I've had to leave a couple of toxic academic environments. They shared the characteristic that any discussion would devolve into a small group of male professors literally yelling at each other. If you're in that group or can imagine joining it, that can be a lot of fun, I gather
-
Once, when I tried to bring up some of the more heinous aspects of their culture, I was literally asked to leave, essentially for not assimilating. Basically 'play by our rules or gtfo'
-
Yeah, as you surmised, it *can* be fun if you're comfortable with aggression and willing to muscle your way in. So, I bet the reaction to you was, "we're having fun, back off". But, science needs to be a professional place that is welcoming to all - a culture change is required.
-
Yep, their reaction was indeed "you're ruining our fun". But for the record, I wasn't even trying to bring up their combative discussions. I was trying to get them to stop encouraging sexual harassment!
-
Oh, JFC, that was just completely inexcusable of them then!!! They should have listened to you either way, but "we're having fun fighting each other" is a far, far more acceptable infringement of professional conduct than, "we're having fun encouraging sexual harassment"!
- 9 more replies
New conversation -
-
-
Glad I haven't met the latter group! I'll keep my pitch forks ready if necessary but hopefully a socially enacted barrier will suffice. This community has been a lovely substitute for an academic environment IRL, so I hope to help wrapping it in a nice wholesome
@blanket_markovThanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.
But, more generally, even if I were a big wig, I’m having trouble seeing the issue with my participation in the thread... regardless of status, what’s wrong with having strong positions and stating them in a respectful manner?