Y
YourNeighbor
Arcanist
- Jul 22, 2021
- 423
I thought I'd toss out some observations about why this forum is such an easy target for media, and why there is merit in a lot of outside criticism of this place. I don't expect anything to change of course, but thought some self-reflection might be useful anyway. Main issues:
- Tolerance of hate (even coddling it), and specifically misogyny (usually from self-identified incels) and racism (in the form of neo-Nazi inspired profiles, references to white victimhood and Jewish global conspiracies, and coded attacks on "rappers," for example).
- Tolerance of minors/cryptic minors exploring suicide. A substantial number of threads here go along the lines of: "how do I order SN to my home without my parents finding out," "how do I ctb in my bedroom without my parents hearing it," and the like. It should be no surprise that most people who might see such a thread are repulsed, regardless of one's views of the right to choose to live or die when made by an informed and competent adult. What's worse is that these threads regularly receive constructive feedback.
- A sizeable number (certainly not all, or even a majority) of comments encouraging or supporting suicide in response to any complaint posted. No, the comments aren't as direct as "you should kill yourself." Obviously. But many comments respond citing suicide as a good thing in response to comments that clearly show someone is despairing over a temporary issue and may simply be in crisis mode.
The first two issues could probably be addressed (I realize they won't, given the origins of this place), while the third would be much more difficult, given it's a bit more subjective issue. Because of the above, even those who fully agree with the right of competent, informed individuals to fully control whether they live or die can find much about this place that is disturbing.
- Tolerance of hate (even coddling it), and specifically misogyny (usually from self-identified incels) and racism (in the form of neo-Nazi inspired profiles, references to white victimhood and Jewish global conspiracies, and coded attacks on "rappers," for example).
- Tolerance of minors/cryptic minors exploring suicide. A substantial number of threads here go along the lines of: "how do I order SN to my home without my parents finding out," "how do I ctb in my bedroom without my parents hearing it," and the like. It should be no surprise that most people who might see such a thread are repulsed, regardless of one's views of the right to choose to live or die when made by an informed and competent adult. What's worse is that these threads regularly receive constructive feedback.
- A sizeable number (certainly not all, or even a majority) of comments encouraging or supporting suicide in response to any complaint posted. No, the comments aren't as direct as "you should kill yourself." Obviously. But many comments respond citing suicide as a good thing in response to comments that clearly show someone is despairing over a temporary issue and may simply be in crisis mode.
The first two issues could probably be addressed (I realize they won't, given the origins of this place), while the third would be much more difficult, given it's a bit more subjective issue. Because of the above, even those who fully agree with the right of competent, informed individuals to fully control whether they live or die can find much about this place that is disturbing.
Last edited: