When you realise you’re doing the very thing you criticise others for.

A lesson in 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘆.

This week, I got annoyed at someone who’d written a post inviting discussion, then showed no interest in having one with anyone who wasn't a cheerleader. Partly because I’d spent longer than I should have thinking about their argument. And having written a considered reply, being ignored felt irritating.

Then it struck me that I sometimes do exactly the same thing.

Not because I’m not interested, but because a comment has really made me reflect and I need time to work out what I think. But to the person who wrote it, silence doesn't feel at all positive.

I want to be better at replying to thoughtful, good-faith comments on my posts. So I’m going to try something simple. When someone leaves a comment that I want to think about, I’ll say so. Then I’ll make a note and come back to it when I’m ready.

Because I've realised that some of the most valuable interactions on here aren’t the fast, hot ones the platform encourages. They’re the slow, cold ones that make me stop and think.