Dear Steemians

We live in a world full of differing and sometimes conflicting opinions. Don't panic. This is normal.

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But what happens if you click on your favourite tag featuring your favourite ideology and somebody is expressing opinions you don't like?

That's what I'd like to address here.

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I used the 'vegan' tag to open a contest on the subject of veganism. The winners of this contest (if any bother entering) will likely be vegan. For transparency, I'm not a vegan.

@shadowdragon doesn't like it when non-vegans use the vegan tag. He doesn't think I have the right to discuss this topic under the vegan tag and responded to my post with a downvote, effectively smashing money from the prize pool. But how else am I going to reach people interested in veganism if I can't use the tag?

I think the 'vegan' tag is a useful thing for helping people to find vegan-related matter. Shadowdragon, however, seems to think the 'vegan' tag means 'vegan club' and should only ever be used to sing the praises of vegan-related stuff. He also thinks that the 'religion' tag means 'religious-subscribers-only club'. Surely Discord groups are ideal places for like-minded shenanigans and the blockchain is a place where anybody can talk about anything they want.

What are your thoughts on this?

Below, if you're interested, are some highlights from the comments section in one of Shadowdragon's blogs:

Because you're obviously a troll with absolutely no backing on what you're saying

This was his reasoning for flagging videos made by @milkjar – who vlogs about veganism and some of the negative consequences this can have on health. So, shadowdragon has decided that milkjar is a troll who cannot back up the information he shares. If shadowdragon took the time to watch the videos, he'd see that milkjar often supports his commentary with peer-reviewed scientific papers, analysing the results. He also debates vegans live on YouTube.

the topic you're trying to put is merely just making fun of people and it is indeed in the wrong section, that's why I flagged you

There are many ways to share information. You can write in any way you choose: lengthy essay-type to satire, and everything in between. These are all legitimate forms of expression.

you can downvote stuff that is in the wrong tab

Is a post discussing veganism in the wrong tab if it's tagged 'vegan'?

I didn't even need to see the video … I merely downvoted a content that I did not enjoy...

Really, @shadowdragon? You decided you didn't enjoy the content and flagged it without actually watching it? You based this decision on the title and thumbnail? Tut tut. If that does not highlight, to you, your closed mind and attitude I don't know what will.

you have to resort to idiotic insults …

Shadowdragon then goes on to say:

you have a really crappy look … filthy broken hair, a joke of a beard and an overall gross face … you came from a miserable life … even quality content creators which you definitely are not … your punchable and meek face.

Hmm, but it's ok if you insult people, right?

I presented my explanation and actually took the time to demonstrate my intellectual superiority

I thought this deserved a line of its own coz it made me laugh out loud. No other reason. Sorry for the digression.

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I joined the discussion with shadowdragon after I noticed he'd downvoted my vegan contest. The rest is highlights of what he said to me...

You made that post entirely to fish upvotes in the wrong section. It's obvious you don't want any kind of discussion … you're solely doing it to provoke and tease.

Here is a glorious example of how this kind of 'right thinking' can be dangerous. He decided, without looking into it, that I was doing this for upvotes, that I don't want a discussion and that I'm being provocative. I post things in which I'm interested because I want to discuss the matter, find out the truth! So what if it's provocative? Doesn't that get the juices flowing, encourage us to share information, find out where we (including me, btw) may be clinging to an ideology rather than something based on facts?

Just for the record, I boosted my vegan contest with my own money. The prizes are to be divvied up and I will keep only the remaining Steem Power as a result. All the SBD (including what I invested) is to go to the winner, qualifying participants and the judge (not me).

He accuses me of having an entitled, self-righteous attitude. He pulls insults out of his arse when he has no actual argument to back him up. He then goes on to say the reason I don't subscribe to vegan ideology is because I'm too stubborn to agree with evidence. Not true. It's not stubborn to read, analyse data and draw conclusions. It's called discernment. I feel there's a bit of projection going on in shadowdragon.

It is not a new discussion, there are lots of posts about veganism and proofs and all that already on Steemit

Does this mean that people should refrain from posting anything on a topic because others have already discussed it? If so, why are there so many tofu recipes on here? I've seen quite a few of those.

What about other evidence? You know, the kind that's often omitted from vegan posts? It's almost like shadowdragon has made up his mind and has his fingers in his ears. No, that disagrees with my belief, I won't hear it, lalalalalalaaaa!

the only reason you did this is for your own advantage and ignore, belittle, ridicule or disagree no matter what proofs or arguments are presented that are different from yours so it's obviously not something worth wasting anyone's time just for your fun

Here is shadowdragon showing off his mind-reading abilities (which, for the record, are pretty poor). He seems opposed to anyone having fun too. What's wrong with fun? Isn't it a nice way for people to share ideas in a friendly, non-hostile way? He thinks it's a waste of time trying to present evidence supporting veganism as the healthiest diet. What if there is evidence supporting veganism? Wouldn't that put vegans at an advantage? What is he scared of?

just don't waste everyone's time just to achieve some low level of it for your own.

Am I wasting anyone's time? If I start reading something that's not worth my time, I click on something else. Don't you? In shadowdragon's opinion, my version of fun is on a low level. He thinks he can decide what levels of fun are appropriate for the Steemit blockchain by censoring anybody whose approach isn't his cup of tea, especially if he suspects their motives aren't superclean (coz, you know, he can read minds).

followers with the same wrong ideas

Aaand now we find the nub of his niggle. He wants to censor posts that appeal to people who have 'wrong ideas'. Punishing thought crimes? Totalitarian ideology.

flag or downvote is just the opposite of a upvote, if it exists it is my right to use it if I do deem it fit when the post so entails.

So, something exists, we have the right to use it. Hmm. What about using this tool responsibly? Guns exist, should I go around shooting people I disagree with? I'm not a big fan of voting, especially when votes are cast by the mentally feeble, brainwashed or downright spiteful.

Whatever. Yes, @shadowdragon, you have the right to flag and downvote, but don't think it will go unanswered. I have that same right too.

Thanks for reading
Love, @AnjKara

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