Just now in #SecondLife, I received yet another unwanted “conference call” from someone I barely know. This time, I decided that it’s time to “unfriend” them.

We attended some meetings at least 15-16 YEARS ago, and became friends due to a shared interest in politics, probably via mutual friends in the Cafe Wellstone group. That group is mostly just social now, although we discuss things we’re involved with in RL. After attending a few meetings organized by that person, I realized that they were much more committed to a far-left POV than I am; I’m PRETTY LIBERAL, but I’m not ready to put on a gas mask and confront Proud Boys in the street.

I do gesture at Cybertrucks with a “peace and FU” backhanded 3-finger salute now and then, though.

Anyway, this person over the years no longer organizes political discussions; they just IM their entire friends list (a “conference”) out of the blue to rant about random triggering events. This has gone on for years – I heard nothing during the Obama and Biden presidencies, but every few months there’d be a blast of invective during Bush (W) and Trump (1.0 & 2.0). These consisted of complaints that the Dems weren’t Leftist enough and “we” hadn’t worked hard enough.

Today was no different. I’d decided to quietly unfriend them after the last unwanted screed, but today’s started out “F—- Y— for not working hard enough to stop the madman…” blah blah blah.

I could have mentioned that I wrote postcards to voters, I donated, I shared good information, I stayed informed and tried to refute disinformation where I could. I’m just as horrified and disgusted by each new outrage as anyone. And I don’t need the stress and hostility from someone I barely know. As others in the “conference” started to object, I just left, and unfriended that person. Not worth engaging with someone riding the Rage Express.