153
gr8 b8 m8 (files.catbox.moe)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by nicknonya@lemmy.blahaj.zone to c/196@lemmy.blahaj.zone

show transcriptagnesmontague posts:
devastating news for the discourse poster: “media literacy” in the modern age includes the ability to identify which posts are bait

agnesmontague replies:
before you go on lamenting the death of media literacy on the post of some guy who may, perhaps, have a financial incentive to get as many eyes on their slop as humanly possible, take a second to assess whether this "literacy" you speak of could apply to you in this very moment, because otherwise, brother, i bear some bad news

agnesmontague replies:
(quoted tumblr tag)
#anybody got pointers for those who don't know the signs of bait? (end quote)
i'm glad someone asked, though unfortunately i don't think there is any set of rules or pointers to abide by; my principle is that if a take is "too hot" (worded in an inflammatory way, way overbroad or generalized, reads offensively) on a platform that rewards engagement (twitter, tiktok, or youtube, mostly, though not confined to those), it's likely bait for the sake of baiting, although to be honest i have never once found it a loss to simply ignore/block any take online that pisses me off regardless of whether i think it is sincere or in good faith. so my rule of thumb is to just not engage, generally

link to the original post:
https://www.tumblr.com/agnesmontague/772674603403345921

top 11 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] drspod@lemmy.ml 17 points 2 months ago

We used to call it flamebait and it has existed for decades.

[-] Alice@beehaw.org 8 points 2 months ago

I would count reddit indirectly as a site that rewards engagement. I'm pretty sure a lot of ragebait is generated to be read by Microsoft Sam or over Minecraft footage later.

[-] ch00f@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago

90% of news is just entertainment.

[-] TotallynotJessica@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Even if something is clearly bait, it still might be worth pushing back against. All internet arguments, bait or not, are principly about the audience, not the person you're responding to. I honestly don't care what someone's motivation is. If someone says bad shit uncontested, people start believing it.

This even applies to someone saying something to troll. If they tell a lie often enough, they tend to internalize it. If you actually want to influence a troll, make them not want to troll there. Give pushback that isn't fun for them to respond to.

[-] nicknonya@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 2 months ago

agreed, not falling for bait ≠ not responding. it's still important to recognize it as such however

I've found that my best responses both take them at face value, AND make them not want to troll anymore

[-] olafurp@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

This one person SHREDS another in an argument

[-] GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 months ago

I r8 it 8/8

[-] rockSlayer@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

The bait at the end is truly a masterclass lesson

[-] tombruzzo@lemm.ee 1 points 2 months ago

If Tony Zaret has taught me anything, everything is bait and I'm triggered

this post was submitted on 14 Jan 2025
153 points (99.4% liked)

196

17443 readers
623 users here now

Be sure to follow the rule before you head out.


Rule: You must post before you leave.



Other rules

Behavior rules:

Posting rules:

NSFW: NSFW content is permitted but it must be tagged and have content warnings. Anything that doesn't adhere to this will be removed. Content warnings should be added like: [penis], [explicit description of sex]. Non-sexualized breasts of any gender are not considered inappropriate and therefore do not need to be blurred/tagged.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us on our matrix channel or email.

Other 196's:

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS