To want to correct innacuracies about people/things I disagree with?

[Echobelly]

I don't know if I can phrase this in any way that makes sense. Do you ever get annoyed about statements that are innacurate, but they're about someone/something you don't like and to try to clear them up, especially on social media, seems not worth the trouble, because then people will just accuse you of defending the thing/person you don't like, even if you clarify first off that you're not?

I find it annoying if, in the name of something you support, people spread things that aren't true, because it makes you look just as bad as the 'other side', eg some people would share anything bad about Donald Trump when he was president, without checking if it was true or not.

I sometimes wish there was some agreed online shorthand for 'This is not a declaration of support for the person/movement this has been said of, but we need to declare this innacurate', so one didn't have to waste time dealing with people telling you 'Oh so you support THEM then'. Although even if there were, plenty of people would ignore it, as seen by numerous posts starting 'This is lighthearted...' or 'Note I am NOT saying X' which are still reacted to ignoring that!

I've learned not to bother, unless it's someone who I support, such as Harry and Meghan. I report things to fact check on FB.

I don’t care, honestly.

I would be wasting my life and energy correcting every person I came across. It’s pedantic. Sometimes you have to mentally agree to disagree and not bother pushing your point, particularly if it’s just a random person online that has no tangible impact on your life!

It’s pointless. Many people don’t want to debate facts, but opinions. The frustrating thing is that so many people are then surprised with e.g. the result of elections because they’ve assumed, having only heard an echo chamber of voices which agree with their view because people with opposing views don’t want to join a debate and get a kicking, that their view was the most prominent.

Look, 9 times out of 10 I do leave it, I agree it is mainly pointless.

There are some occasions I do feel necessary to weigh in I do have some knowledge others might not be party to, eg (braces self) I am Jewish, I don't support at all Israel's treatment of Palestinian people, but I do see conversations where people are assuming things about what Jewish or Israeli people believe, and although I have no intention of defending Israel's actions, I do want to set the record straight on certain things with some people who may have never spoken to a Jew about it. For example, sometimes people talk as though Jews inherently hate Palestinian people (and vice versa) or as though its an interfaith grudge. So it's worth sharing some insight there. Though they will do what they will with that...

WIBU to point out that you can't spell inaccurate?

Feel better @VeniVidiWeeWee now you’ve gotten that off your chest?

I know what you mean OP. It’s frustrating but probably better for your own stress levels to leave it

Echobelly YANBU

YANBU. I never argue online (well, except occasionally on Mumsnet!) but I’ve found this in real life too.

For example, I was devastated when the government announced that the UK is leaving the Erasmus+ scheme. I’m married to an EU citizen who I met on Erasmus, and also deal with the scheme at work. Some friends, equally devastated, have claimed that Erasmus+ students get a lot more money than they actually do, or said that British students can no longer study in Europe at all.

When I tried to correct them, the immediate assumption is that I voted leave or was happy to leave Erasmus. Neither of these things are true, I just think it’s better to be outraged about the correct information than to spread rumours!

@JustJoinedRightNow

Feel better *@VeniVidiWeeWee* now you’ve gotten that off your chest?

I know what you mean OP. It’s frustrating but probably better for your own stress levels to leave it

Same as the Op. I correct inaccuracies. Why does it matter to you?

@VeniVidiWeeWee because you didn’t even address her question - just came on to correct spelling. Hope it made you feel better!

I got called a pedant for saying that 11.45pm wasn't after midnight on here yesterday.

I know what you mean OP, but tbh a lot of social media is like a parallel universe/twilight zone in terms of what a lot of posters think and post. I'm far more likely to scroll past than I was a few years ago.

Ooops, that's embarrassing given I'm an editor - I do know how to spell inaccurate but wasn't paying much attention as was typing out post quickly on a break (yes, I see now i did it twice)

Not unreasonable to point out error @VeniVidiWeeWee - not too reasonable to be a twat about it