So, I have a rule about people being wrong on the internet. I am only allowed to argue with them as long as I have nothing better to do in real life (sitting typing into my phone at a dinner party is right out), if it isn't actually upsetting me or making me angry (life is too short) and if I feel I am actually making a positive contribution (so if I'm not changing anyone's mind and they aren't changing mine it seems pointless to keep flogging the dead horse).
This means I periodically do pull out of threads but I'm never sure what the most polite way of doing it is. Do you say "well, thank you for this but I won't be replying any more?" I sometimes do this but it always feels a bit like flouncing which is bad. Or do you just mute the thread and stop replying? Is it rude then to ignore hypothetical people who might be talking at you?
Which is U? And what other options are there?