I drafted this reply 3 days ago, but apparently forgot to forgot to hit the button.
If I'm allowed to ask, if I'm allowed to be so upfront about this at least this one time...
@meno why would you not be? You seem to be under the impression that you are undertaking some type of huge risk by talking with Haejin. You're not. The only people who ever took part in silencing opposing viewpoints with flags (with regard to this debate) were bernie and haejin. Bernie has not posted about this for three months and since Haejin is unlikely to downvote you unless you oppose his view, I think you're pretty safe.
When I think about how this could end, I think it will take more people willing to speak up, regardless of consequences, and point out when things are uncalled for. I think this whole thing has been perpetuated by the utter indifference of the Steem population in general.
The idea that voting is somehow an act of war is also alien to me. We as Steem holders are expected to collectively assess the value of the content here. If you are voting (whether upvote or downvote) based on an assessment of the post, then you are acting in accordance with the design of Steem. If you are endorsing or criticizing a post or groups of posts, you are also acting within the design of Steem. I agree that respectful discord goes much much further than hateful banter which is why I am confused by your willingness to engage with the biggest employer of such tactics in the past 3 months while simultaneously expressing fear of those who oppose him. Your perception is unfounded in reality.
In theory you are 💯 on this. There should be no reason why I should self censor. However in practice as you pointed out, the emotional reactions to these conversations have lead to uncalled for flags and insults.
Since I would be compromising @helpie with my actions, I feel it necessary to be that careful.
Yeah, but not from anybody still involved in the conversation, with the exception of haejin. It is similar to arguing against segregation while simultaneously claiming victimhood for the only individual actively supporting it. The rest of us have either never engaged in such activities or have long since moved on from them.