You would think engagement would work better, and IRL it does. Online you're just feeding the trolls.

Yea my mental health is too important to worry about stuff like that

There's no changing their minds anyway, they'll just be less angry, so overall, it's progress.

Part of what makes Lemmy interesting is that so many people here disagree with me. I only block the profane ranting sort. I do, however, sometimes just stick to lighthearted topics for a while when I already have enough stress in my life.

I'm going to copy-paste a relevant post I made recently in response to a discussion about being baited by trolls:

My own rule is simple: I should only interact with another person online for as long as I enjoy doing so. Often I have a hard time letting someone else have the last word, especially when I feel insulted, but I’m getting good at it.

It helps to remember that many arguments are actually performances: the other guy isn’t really trying to learn anything or even to change your mind. He’s acting for an audience of people who already agree with him. When he repeats the things they want to hear, they praise him for owning the libs or something along those lines. There is never anything to be gained by being the patsy for that circle-jerk.