Freedom of speech, IMO, also includes the right to CHOOSE what I want to read and when. And having to sort thru endless posts of circle jerking mocking debates or utter bullshit like Happeh, postperson and others I won't mention is not my cup of tea. People can still post what they want, but, it's MY choice to read or not to read. And lets not kid ourselves, I tried to not read every piece posted by shit stirrers, it's damn fucking hard. If I want to read what someone I'm ignoring posted, all I have to do is click on "show" or, read what someone has quoted from them. If people don't like what I post then they can ignore me! Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing!
Telemarketers also complained about the "Do not call list". Claiming it infringed on their "free speech", WTF, if I don't want to talk to someone or be disturbed in my OWN home why should I be forced to endure that crap.
That's a really good analogy, Ozymandias.
True. I personally would not choose to use the ignore button, but I see that as more as something in me....ie; it gives me a chance to examine why exactly is this person getting under my skin and to choose my battles. I don't mind being challenged on my opinions, but when someone has a particular agenda to be an asshole for assholes sake, rather than have an adult debate and see the other person's point of view, I can't really be bothered.
Good point and you make a different opinion in your own way. We need to digest other's opinions in our own way.........the ignore function lets us do so. It gives us time to look and ponder formulate a response instead of going off half cocked in response
Now I accept that some may think thats "dishonest", but, IMHO, thats also "real life". The appropriate quote that comes to mind is, "Oh Lord, let my words be tender and just, for tomorrow I may have to eat them." --anonymous (that may or may not be the exact quote, but, it's what I intended to convey)
Hence why I said it was my own personal reason for not using the ignore button...at this point.
Who knows, we now have the option I may use it. But my thoughts were just my personal slant on why I don't see the need to use it. In fact, telling someone that I had put them on ignore would be more an example of giving someone the power to upset me, therefore I
had to put them on ignore.
Do understand the OC side though. For sure.