Dear miliMeow:

I understand and share your outrage in regard to the two issues, particularly in regard to the first very current public health major problem. I frequent a certain taproom where not long ago I talked about how wonderful vaccines are and an anti-vaxxer verbally attacked me. I remained as calm as possible and did not  engage in an argument or a fight with her because nothing good would have resulted from it. If I argued, she would have felt stronger about her position, not weaker. And in addition to it, I would have made it very unpleasant to visit the taproom again.

And this is what happens online, in the forums you mentioned: people argue, fight, it gets ugly and the result: no one changes their minds and everyone feels even stronger about their initial positions. It is not only a waste of time, but it accomplishes the opposite of what you wish to accomplish.

There is a prayer called The Serenity Prayer, it says in part: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”- can you tell me if and how you can connect this prayer to what we are discussing here?

anita