Sure. However, the two aren’t unrelated. Not that it justifies the harassment you’ve seen (which as mentioned mods are pretty solid on most instances but reports help them a lot). Given what shitshow it turned into it’s clear that more conversations around the topic are needed. I think those type of people will still pop their head up. When they do, if the entire conversation isn’t already a shitfight because of how it was initiated, these type will be easier to identify and ban. Focusing solely on the outcome and ignoring how we got here only ensures it will be repeated. Lemmy is growing still, there will be challenges on the way.

The bear scenario is the perfect division inducing shitstorm.

It’s understandable what the memes portrays the danger that women face, daily. The fact that they frequently don’t feel comfortable or even just basic safety is definitely valid and worth discussion.

However, the bear vs man thing was just the worst vehicle to induce that discussion. On one side men who may not be the most well informed about women issues; will get immediately defensive at being compared to a large animal known for tearing people apart and eating them alive.

The members of the other side who see all the angry men getting defensive at them for expressing this view and think it’s purely because they aren’t empathetic to these issue, they “hate” women or they’re marginalising what is a real and daily danger.

Of course there are actual trolls, toxic arseholes and people who have 0 interest actual discourse or understanding but fuck them, I agree ban em.

It was never going to end in a productive, calm or rational discussion and frankly I think tarring the entire of lemmy for it is equally as unproductive. I’ve seen plenty of people initially aggressive to the meme, come around. I’ve seen more and more people make light jokes about the same meme without the accusatory tone. If you want discourse theres space to do so; it just has to be done better(imo). Preferably without snark or accusatory tones.

Most literate online Trump supporter.

Literally not defending anyone. Learn to read. It’s in my post history disputing misinformation about Trump and clicking on the post show it as deleted but I know facts won’t get in the way of your feelings.

Yeah post that are low effort “orange man bad” don’t get shit on and deleted all the time you muppet.

I dunno man, now days more than ever I consider online discourse to be an alternate reality. Sure a lot of what you said is valid in terms of it giving fringe politics an echo chamber and cohesion. That aside I rarely see even common stuff like what you mentioned in the OP manifest meaningfully irl. I’ve seen the “only wanting to date Cis is bigotry” online too and not once irl and thats including discussing similar with trans people.

Just my 2c, I see a lot of frustration from online discourse bleed into irl when it should be left there for the most part.

Yeah that’s been my experience as well and I work for a bar. Most of my coworkers in that generation have been easier to get along with, easier to communicate with and don’t visibly panic at a “dead inside” joke. Direct contrast to my last workplace with more millennials/boomers. Ive yet to cop inter-generational shit talking from zoomers so they sure won’t get it from me. Plus look what they did with memes.

I think it’s pretty ironic that this meme is trying to make a statement about the confederacy not acknowledging the work/contribution of slavery and having trouble doing so because it’s an uncredited “”adaption”” of someone else’s meme.

How do you get dates because it can be a big factor. My last several relationships have been with people I’ve met in my day to day despite using dating apps to meet people during that duration. Honestly beyond hookups I’d almost suggest staying clear of them. Especially since people are particularly picky on these dating apps and a lot of it is quantity over quality. Meeting people who share similar hobbies/interests to you is the ideal way imo.