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May 14, 2025
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What do we lose when people opt out of online conversations?
I've talked to community organisers, journalists, political activists and all-round brilliant minds who've experienced toxic backlash and engaged in self-censoring as a result.
Some confessed that they have just never looked at the comments on any of the episodes in a podcast or live events they host. They're forced to miss out on potential discussions to avoid toxicity.
Tuning out, disengaging, and blocking people doesn't actually change the system. It accepts its limitations. It also promotes echo chambers as the only viable 'safe space'.
Have you ever self-censored for fear of backlash?