OK, I'm going to say something about the Bernie Sanders campaign. And I'm sorry I'm doing it now but it's taken me a really long time to figure out what I really think and feel about this, and what I've been seeing and why it bothers me.
-
-
And even without thinking about civility, there are so many ways you can talk about Sanders without making it seem like you're just sneering at other voters to a few friends who agree with you. This is a public forum.
Show this thread -
Yet it's become common to have slighting references to Democratic voters not only in tweets, but in the handles and avis of Bernie supporters. Why aren't you trying to get Bernie elected? Why have you already given up on that? It makes no sense to me.
Show this thread -
I REALLY appreciate the exceptions to this rule. I especially appreciate them because I personally tend to get depressed and say nothing, or become snarky and make jokes. I'm not a natural at political campaigning by any means, and I don't judge individuals if they aren't either.
Show this thread -
I also understand why not everyone is interested in retooling their online persona as a campaign organ when they only have a couple hundred or dozen followers. But it adds up. And we now have a situation where the whole culture of Sanders support is affected.
Show this thread -
This is at best a huge missed opportunity. Twitter is this magical place where you can go into the replies of national politicians and media personalities and instantly speak to hundreds of undecided voters about why Sanders is their best choice. You can become their friend!
Show this thread -
You don't need to go door to door and hope that someone, at some point in the day, lets you get past introducing yourself. You don't need to phone bank and get hung up on again and again. You can talk to voters here.
Show this thread -
So I would really ask people who seriously support Sanders to try for the next few weeks to address themselves to people who are currently planning to vote for Biden, or who haven't made up their minds, and aim to convince them. Even charm them. Make friends.
Show this thread -
This is how you win an election. And if you believe in Bernie's campaign, you probably believe this election is crucially important. Finally, even if Bernie doesn't win, this work will help other Democratic Socialist candidates in future by selling more people on their ideas.
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
I think it isn’t the rejection of civility as such, but ratter the rejection of the discourse around civility which has been weaponized. So it’s the rejection of CiViLiTy. People who aren’t extremely online wont have this context though. // Thanks for your thoughts.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
Thank you for articulating this! I've been really frustrated by how this tactic has been both defended and weaponized. It makes absolutely no sense in the context of trying to win this election.
Thanks. 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.