The folly of retreat in the face of defeat

How bad actors have penetrated social media platforms like Reddit. And why letting them dictate the rules of engagement is a mistake.

Note: This is a long read

Political discourse on social media taught me that bad faith operators and tactics are not only prevalent, they are widespread and effective.

Their objectives are much narrower than one might imagine.

The rules of political discourse are not as they appear. The chess board has undeniably shifted.

It’s not about genuinely debating opinions, policies, and facts. It’s about obfuscating truths, spreading misinformation, and in many cases, a must-take-down of certain targets who are effective, strong voices of opposition.

Social media is just a microcosm of the same tactics employed elsewhere.

On a societal level, we already see take downs of academics, environmental figures - even if they are children - judges, health experts, investigative journalists, and civil leaders.

Those are the same must-take-downs.

Small or large - it’s the same ploy.

Even if I am late to this party, and…