I have decided to explore Truth Social. Yes, I am looking to get into “discussions” with people who take positions I find wrong as a result of being poorly informed. I understand that some may see my behavior as looking for a fight or trolling. Not so. I don’t think any perspective should control a social media platform for the purpose of indoctrination. Having public statements challenged in a civil manner is what you sign up for when you comment to an audience on a social media site.
When you join Truth Social, you are presented with some existing members to follow to get you started. The first individual on the list is Donald Trump. Why not? He does truth a lot. I followed Donald. Most and maybe all of the individuals on the list seemed to be Republican. Strange, not strange. I did hear from my wife that Gavin Newsome has joined and with a search I was able to find and follow him as well. There was also a F__Gavin individual. I ignored this social opportunity.
BTW – if you join, know that you will be asked to provide lots of personal information – name, phone number, email address. You are encouraged to “have fun” with your photo and screen name. Not sure what “have fun” means so I went with Grabe and the picture of an oriole (only photo I had available). I don’t know if this is fun enough. I can’t pose with a weapon and my army fatigues are no longer close to fitting. When you post something, you click the “Truth” button. You can also retruth in responding to the posts of others. I can stipulate that the “truth” standard is not rigorously or even lightly enforced. The site is as bad as you may have heard. Give me a little time.
Here are my personal rules.
- Don’t be inappropriate. No personal attacks. No foul language. No name calling.
- When someone makes a vague claim that strikes you as inaccurate, nicely indicate that the claim would benefit from an example. Suggest that the statement made strikes you as wrong, but you would like a specific example so that you can better understand the claim.
- Ask for evidence. Promote the goal that is the core objective of the social site (truth). I suggest that I disagree with a position taken, offer my evidence, and ask for some factual basis the original commenter can offer to counter the evidence I provide.
- Be persistent. Some folks respond to my comments by calling me names, questioning my intelligence, suggesting I must consume a great deal of kool aid, or by redirecting the focus of their original post to a what about …. alternative. I patiently suggest that their comment was irrelevant and ask again just what about my position they can refute. I know it may be juvenile to expect to have the final word, but what else do I have to do and I am perfectly willing to accept valid arguments and acceptable evidence. After all, truth should prevail.
I invite you to join me. Contrary to early reports Truth Social functions without technological issues. Be prepared for what you might experience. You do need a thick skin and be able to ignore personal attacks. I am also saving my “truths” as I may use them as examples in future posts. I will post again if I get kicked off.
