When you block or mute someone, should you tell them?

[lina@tech.lgbt]

@evan i block/mute a lot of people for being russian or sometimes pro-trump/trump-like entities in other countries, and in that case i usually leave a snarky remark after blocking as a public post

but mostly not

[danso@mtl.rocks]

@mpjgregoire@cosocial.ca @evan@cosocial.ca the actual number varies, but I block every commenter that's hostile or bad-faith if it comes from somebody I don't know, even when their comment is not directed at me.

A few days ago there was a post on fecesbook about the ALF in France burning 15 refrigerated trucks that got a lot of attention. I probably blocked > 100 people that day.

[brooke@bikeshed.vibber.net]

@evan "no, but" sometimes I can't help myself 🤭

[mloxton@zeroes.ca]

@evan
Yes, generally because it's a learning opportunity. If not for them, then for others.
But... if muting a person who isn't a troll, but just too much, then quietly muting is kinder

[evan@cosocial.ca]

@kim Calling that kind of behaviour _passive_ aggressive seems generous.

[mpjgregoire@cosocial.ca]

@danso
Why? I mean, maybe they deserve to be blocked, but maybe even without a block you'll never cross paths with them again...

[danso@mtl.rocks]

@mpjgregoire@cosocial.ca when I learned that nearly all the hateful posts online are made by < 1% of its users, it got me thinking maybe I could create a curated internet by just blocking them all.

I still see hateful posts sometimes, so it hasn't totally worked (yet).

But I just think, if this person is hateful, why give them a chance to direct their hate at me? Why wait? If blocking hundreds of people means I don't get a hateful message later, it'll be worth it.

So far I've never regretted a block. It hasn't happened that I've met somebody in person and had an awkward moment of "oh, I've got your account blocked on [whatever]". On the other hand, when controversial posts get hundreds of comments, it's normal that I'm only shown 80-90% of them (when logged in).

Things escalated during the municipal elections, when I ran as candidate for city council. Since I'm openly genderqueer and vegan -- two of the most hated demographics -- I got... a few hateful private messages. And since then I've wondered how many I didn't get because I had such a long block-list already.

[patrickoftheg@mastodon.social]

@evan If you block them, they don't see your message do they?

[baloouriza@social.tulsa.ok.us]

@evan Why start drama neither of you need by announcing it?

[nirak@lincolnite.net]

@evan I think it's polite to either tell a mutual they are being muted (if you are muting their @ responses too), or just soft block them (force them to unfollow you)

Either of those at least give them a hint something is up.

I don't think it's as big a deal for non mutuals

[edwing@mstdn.moimeme.ca]

@evan No, unless you want to.