Manuel writes about how debate on the internet doesn’t allow participants the space to express themselves, thereby creating an environment in which undecided bystanders feel intimidated – often by the “right” side of the argument – and it’s impossible to reach compromise, or explore nuance.

It is unfortunate because progress can only be had if people have enough space and time to express themselves fully and then have their ideas challenged constructively. And yes, I’m already hearing you screaming that some racist bigots out there don’t deserve to have their views treated respectfully and be given time and space. I get it, and I understand it.

My issue with the two sides

I broadly agree with this, in abstract at least – a “healthy” debate is formally next to impossible on mass social media, whether it’s shut down by the “right” or the “wrong” side – but it got me thinking about the terrain on which online “discussion” (firmly in quotes) takes place these days, and what, if anything, can be achieved.

Not a huge amount if you’re on something like Twitter. The “wrong” side (for which read the far-right) never discusses in good faith. To a fascist, a debate is a rhetorical device which serves two broad purposes – either to present a previously unacceptable idea as worthy of consideration, to give it oxygen – or to provide content for use out of context elsewhere, possibly in the form of a quote, a gotcha, or anything that appears to present a win, or the other side as irredeemably woke, feeble-minded or whatever. Engagement is pointless, and really, why would you be on Twitter anyway?

You can still find genuine discussion on old-fashioned forums and in smaller communities with shared interests. Oddly enough, for me this is not in the fediverse, which isn‘t really about debate, but on an Ipswich Town message board. Its members espouse a range of political views and even form factions – but it does just, more or less, reflect the opinions you’d find at an Ipswich Town match, and it bumps along well enough, even if it is subject to fairly frequent dramas and bannings.

Alas, even there you’ll find the odd crypto or English Defence League grifter. They’re easy to spot when they’re not on Twitter or whatever cesspool of a site they normally inhabit as they’ll repeatedly introduce the same sort of talking point – non-white grooming gangs, displacement theory, bitcoin etc. You don’t debate them. Report them – for any message board to work it needs clear guidance as to what is and isn’t acceptable, and moderators who act accordingly – and tell them to fuck off. That works for everyone.