Not OP but the whole reasoning for commenting on social media (reddit) changed over the years which has conditioned me to look at commenting as competition rather than the purpose of creating open communication. In the 2000s, commenting was an anonymous conversation with everyone and felt comfortable because no one was putting their heart and soul into it. Now everyone is seasoned in social media conversation to the point we boil every aspect of our words to an argument. We’ve seen people doxxed and flogged for hard takes. We’ve seen trolls, bullshitters, compassion seekers, great people, evil people, and more, all interact so often that we’re jaded, blaise, and careful not to say the wrong thing to the wrong people at the wrong time in the wrong thread. As reddit grew, timing of commenting meant far more than the conversation itself. Zero comments meant zero conversation at best. No one likes screaming into the void, and no one wants the void to scream back.

It’s almost like everyone is newly single. Everyone is awkwardly watching each other and waiting for a chance to say something, but no one is starting the conversation. We’re all leaning against the bleachers pretending we aren’t here rather than asking each other to dance.

I, for one, like to shroud my opinions in heavily sarcastic remarks that come off as anti social and rude, and it can be daunting to throw myself out there when in a new group. But I also don’t like any of you people and I’m pretty sure this whole network is a haven for shy idiots who can’t formulate their own thoughts.