444 March 12, 2025, 8:47 p.m.

Is it even POSSIBLE to have normal conversations online anymore??

I'm absolutely LOSING MY MIND trying to navigate social media in 2025. This isn't just about "being nice" - it's gotten to the point where I'm afraid to express ANY opinion online!

Last week, my cousin got suspended from Twitter for saying he doesn't like a particular movie because it was "too preachy" (apparently that's coded language now??). Meanwhile my coworker lost a promotion opportunity when someone dug up a meme he shared in 2018 that's now considered problematic.

I'm not even talking about actual hate speech or genuinely harmful content. I'm talking about NORMAL OPINIONS that somehow get twisted into evidence you're secretly a terrible person. The goal posts move weekly and nobody publishes a rulebook!

I feel like I'm going insane watching people get their lives ruined over jokes that were completely acceptable 5 years ago. Self-censoring everything I say is exhausting and makes online interactions feel completely fake. But the alternative seems to be risking your entire reputation/career.

How are normal people handling this? Is there any way to just have authentic conversations without living in constant fear of the internet mob coming for you next?

gameloft March 13, 2025, 1:29 a.m.

Just use alt accounts for anything remotely spicy and keep main account squeaky clean for professional stuff. Digital compartmentalization is the only safe strategy in 2025

↪ Reply

- ♥ 2 +

Albetr March 13, 2025, 5:06 p.m.

If you're this worried about getting "canceled" maybe examine why? Never once in my life worried about this because i don't say harmful things. Pretty simple equation honestly

↪ Reply

- ♥ +

zorro1992 March 14, 2025, 9:20 p.m.

Everyone acting like this is new phenomenon when consequences for speech always existed. Difference is audience size. When you spoke to 5 people at bar, only 5 people could get mad. Now it's potentially millions

↪ Reply

- ♥ +

123gonzo March 15, 2025, 4:49 p.m.

There's also massive difference between "cancellation" and simple criticism. People confuse "someone disagreed with me" for "I AM BEING SILENCED" and it's honestly embarrassing

↪ Reply

- ♥ 1 +

honor007 March 15, 2025, 10:53 p.m.

Anyone check that pew research "Spiral of Silence" study? Showed majority too scared to post opinions they think others disagree with while actual consequences super rare. We're all self-censoring for literally no reason while crying about "cAnCeL cULtUrE"

↪ Reply

- ♥ +

CoenBookseili March 16, 2025, 12:04 a.m.

Been online since BBS days. Every era had its taboos. Difference now = everything's permanent and searchable. Old internet: flame wars lasted 3 days. New internet: screenshots are forever

↪ Reply

- ♥ 2 +

Zoooo0m March 17, 2025, 6:22 p.m.

Exactly this. We used to have explosive forum drama that everyone forgot about by next weekend. Now it gets archived, indexed, and follows you forever

↪ Reply

- ♥ 1 +

BigFun March 18, 2025, 9:26 p.m.

the algorithmic amplification of outrage creates illusion that everyone's constantly offended. reality is 99% of people offline don't care about any of this

↪ Reply

- ♥ +