the issue is conflation. Some believe:
Freedom of speech = Freedom of consequence
Hence when they find the world does not work like this. They are upset, and feel undignified.
So the mistake, is not in the action, but expectation.
If you can't discuss your disagreement with facts and a level head. Best go play pokemon go. Specially if you are holding very little Steem and have absolutely no intention of purchasing any.
100% this. Too many people think that free platform means no one can disagree with them. Not to mention, I think it's incredibly ridiculous they cry censorship when everything is still readable.
The only thing that's taken away by flags is rewards, and sometimes reputation.
There are some psychological effects attached to getting flag. But they are self imposed.
People attach their sense of worth to a payout on a comment or post. Hence, if that gets attacked (im being dramatic intentionally) that means in their mind their own value, their own sense of worth has been eroded.
But, is this true? Of course not, If I'm so weak emotionally as to attach my sense of self worth to some magic internet money (again being ridiculous intentionally) then the issue I have is a lot deeper and I probably need some counseling. Now, this is not me saying they are stupid or that they are not valuable human beings. This is me saying they are accepting the consequence of their actions as something that degrades their self worth. That part is their choice.
@whatsup is probably right about the idea of normalizing flags. If people understood internally, that is, that you don't die, that nothing changes, that your wife doesn't leave you, that your kids don't think less of you, because one comment or two have a (SHOW HIDDEN) button on them.
Then this whole debacle, this whole catastrophe will be as relevant as spilling your drink. It sucks, but you are going to be OK.
What about the people that make a good comment that doesn't intentionally offend a particular person, but is still flagged and hidden. Some comments are like that. Hasn't happened to me though so im just trying to think from the other side.
That feeling some people might get when they put in a good comment only to be kicked down.
I guess the financial incentive really gets under people's skin more than, say, Facebook or Reddit.