Tone online

I got into a heated discussion with someone on the internet. I tried not to feed the trolls; I kept my temper and clearly stated my thoughts. About halfway through the conversation I realized we were using the same words to mean different things. So I stopped and clarified what I meant. The other person reacted in outrage, as if any reasonable right-thinking person (RIGHT-thinking as in correct) would know that what I said was rubbish. So I asked them to explain what they meant. And they did, sort of, in accusatory language. When I mentioned their tone sounded angry, they said, "This is text. There is no tone; you're projecting." Or something to that effect.

Hmmm. Towards the end of the conversation it became obvious that by trying not to feed the trolls but still answering their comments, I was effectively encouraging them. I can only hope that other observers of the conversation were enlightened, even a little.

Most of my communication with people outside my home is online. There is no tone.... and yet, words have meaning. Stop and say your written words out loud. If they are angry words you would not say to anyone in person, Don't Type It Out.