this post was submitted on 17 Nov 2023
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Why are people so adversarial on social media? Why do I keep seeing people setting traps, or baiting people? (beehaw.org)
submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Social media is one hell of a drug. It'd have you swallowing giant gummy worms whole at the back of a sip'n'strut. Oh sure, the catharsis is nice, but at some point you'll need to ask yourself "why are we like this?"

Lately I've been noticing how some comments make me want to exclaim "IT'S A TRAP!". Obvious, open and quite frankly kinda basic baiting, like some disgruntled parent at a PTA, smacking his chest with his bare hand, telling another parent "cash me outside bro how bout dat?"

Like okay, this one comment was doing a set up where the intention was to either get someone to A) depose Hamas or B) defend Hamas, with the intent of jumping down someone's throat.

Why are people like this, mommy? And why am I calling someone "mommy" on social media? Can't we just make homemade cookies like we used to do on rainy nights, and be happy? And why is daddy always drinking the unhappy juice? I think I probably already answered that question...

Mommy, I want McDonald's!!!

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Because many people on social media are not here to experience a new perspective, they are here to lecture everyone else on how the world really works.

The reason for the bait replies are they want to be able to deliver the gotcha talking point they have heard somewhere else.

Why are people like this, mommy?

Often it is because the people involved have been shut down trying to lecture those around them on the same topics in real life but they still want to do it. They are not looking for conversation, they are looking for an audience to lecture at.

And why is daddy always drinking the unhappy juice?

Serious reply. Many people use alcohol to mask anxiety, especially men in societies that still hold on to the "Man must be stoic and strong at all times" horseshit.

Anxiety focused inward often manifests as depression.

Anxiety focused outward often manifests as aggression.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago (1 children)

You're speaking to an ex-alcoholic ^^ used to use it a social crutch, because I never really felt well in social situations. It became so bad that all my money went into bar hopping, and you're definitely right: it was to "treat my anxiety".

Anxiety really is one of the greatest issues of our times, isn't it?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago

Anxiety really is one of the greatest issues of our times, isn’t it?

It always has been. I honestly think everyone (outside actual psychopaths) suffers from it to some degree at some point in their lives.

I, like you, used it to manage my own. I couldn't be social without drinking...a lot. So glad those days a long gone.