Free the prisoners!

[OlderAndWiser]

About five years ago, a young user - CheerGirl - suggested to me that, on New Year's Eve, I should empty out the list of all the users I had blocked over the preceding year. I have averaged blocking perhaps 20 users per year, generally because they were political extremists who wanted to rail at anyone who disagreed with them, or they were annoying trolls. I suspect that, by the time I unblocked them, most had become inactive but I have blocked some users, later unblocked them, and then resumed online communications with them.

Forgiving someone is a liberating action and it made me feel good. It also inspired to offer forgiveness to people in other spheres of my life, and - CheerGirl, wherever you are - I thank you for the suggestion.

Is this something that you will consider doing on New Year's Eve?

[Brainsbeforebeauty]

Doubtful lol I don't block just for no reason or for differing opinions.. I've blocked those that either verbally attacked me or others on my posts, the one user that kept dming me saying disgusting things, fake accounts, or the one user who when called him out for having another account (he outed himself to another user buddy of his on a reply of mine) he made a bullshit post claiming I verbally attacked him in a dm, well after deactivating his "other" account.
It's not so much about forgiveness as not wanting to deal with that stuffTakes away from the enjoyment of using this site. Some people deserve a second chance, some don't🤷

[OlderAndWiser]

There was one user - who I identifed only as the old European socialist - who I never unblocked because he was incorrigible.

[Brainsbeforebeauty]

There's a few incorrigible people on here😂

[Brainsbeforebeauty]

Thanks for mh

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

@CheerGirl38139 Yes this is a good thing you did, sadly I don't have anyone blocked
no, I imagine if they harassed me enough I would have to do something temporarily
but I agree people should not troll or harass over different political views hey life is
too short but it happens I imagine some got me blocked

[OlderAndWiser]

I haven't heard from CheerGirl in several years. She's one of the people from my earlier years here that I miss.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

@OlderAndWiser Yeah , a lot of them have left GAG without deleting their account
so anything is possible

[OlderAndWiser]

I also miss Ozana (may have the username slightly misspelled.)

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

@OlderAndWiser Yes , she was back for while on here and than left

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Thanks for Most Helpful Guy :)

[BCRanger10]

I have yet to block anyone here.

[TrueConfection]

I've unblocked a couple people and 2 magically came off my blocked list, I didn't reblock them (yet). I don't block people for disagreeing with me. I block when they spew nastiness, even if it's not directed at me. I don't have room in my life for vile garbage.

[Daniela1982]

I unblocked everyone last month. Since then I have blocked a couple of new ones. I myself appear to be blocked by some as I see the "comments hidden from someone you blocked or has blocked you. I guess not everyone can be so forgiving. But I did give everyone a 2nd chance and some of those I get along with now.

[loves2learn]

Absolutely not. Takes a lot for me to block someone.

[PeacefulRainDrop]

I agree with her! You can forgive without stepping back into the den of lions.

[sage2021]

I only recently started blocking people on here. Mostly because they were rude to me, offensive, or confrontional or if they talk dirty to me. Other than that - we're good 😊 ☮️

[Xtcy2083]

No, I think I'll do the opposite - lock more of them up! :)
There are too many trolls here, and also political extremists as you say. There are also far too many incel misogynists as well. They deserve some jail time!

[Aerissa_Jade]

I've only blocked two and both were just name calling, otherwise I don't block someone or hide comments.

I've had some strange, weird, gross even DM's that I just turned around into friendly conversations and made some friends.

[exitseven]

I just unblocked everyone I have blocked except for one person. He stays on my naughty list,

[OlderAndWiser]

I had one person lke that, the Old European Socialist.

[exitseven]

This guy insulted one of our female members.

[OlderAndWiser]

The Old European Socialist (that's not his username) wanted to argue about every sentence of anything I ever posted. I don't come on this site to have nonstop arguments. As a moderator, if I see someone insulting other members, I can hide their posts and even freee their accounts for repeat infractions, because that behavior violates the posting guidelines.

[exitseven]

Wow, you are like the Wizard of OZ.

[OlderAndWiser]

Just a moderator.

[exitseven]

yes, the man behind the curtain.

[SaoirseS]

You’re a benevolent man. I might just consider a New Year’s parole for those on my blocked list. One violation and back in the tank they go though.

[19magic]

I haven't ever blocked anyone and I think I've only been blocked about maybe 10 times myself definitely two mayhaps more

[007kingifrit]

this is a good idea. infact i think real social media sites should do this as a matter of course and ask you to reblock 1 year after blocking. i did actually clear it out a bit a few months ago i think

[msc545]

I think forgiveness as you described it is a GREAT idea! I will do that - some of my best friends on here are people I argued with in the past, blocked, and then unblocked and began talking to. We may not agree on everything but that doesn't matter.

[AngelMegumin]

Ofc not. People get blocked for a reason, after all.

[Likes2drive]

I don’t have anyone blocked at the moment but I think there are 4 users on here that have me blocked so maybe they will read your post

[Andres77]

for a second i thought this was about now wearing bras...

[douride2]

I doubt it will happen the only people I have on block are the ones who have blocked me.

[najekim]

I haven't blocked anyone yet. But I see that some have blocked me for some unfathomable reason. Their loss.

[jshm2]

It's a weak mind that blocks irrationally.

[OlderAndWiser]

I agree.

[WhiteBoyChill]

I’ve only blocked people who wouldn't stop inviting me to their dumb questions

[WhiteBoyChill]

Not saying that’s you by the way. I actually do genuinely appreciate your questions.

[spartan55]

I would. Never thought about it until now.