In an age of social media and instant communication, the ability of people to engage in mob justice has become even stronger than it was before. Say the “wrong” thing on social media and your job and career could be in serious danger. Leftist orthodoxy rules the roost, from academia to business, and everyone falls over themselves trying to placate the leftist mobs.
One recent example of that was a nurse who posted a video of herself on social media about George Floyd. She stated her belief that Floyd’s drug use and health issues played a larger contributing factor in his death than the actions of police. While it’s true that Floyd was likely under the influence of drugs and had heart issues, had police not behaved toward him as they did, he likely would still be alive today. It’s not incompatible to believe that Floyd was a drug user with a sordid criminal past but that he was also murdered by police. But regardless of whether you agree or disagree with this lady’s opinion, the correct response to her is to engage in debate, not to attack her livelihood.
The leftist mobs on social media, however, are quick to pounce on anyone who doesn’t toe the party line. And they pounced on this nurse, contacting her employer and getting her fired. The unfortunate reality of the world today is that there is hardly an employer today with a backbone. Once the mobs are out in force, companies are only too happy to jettison an employee if that means placating the mob. Thus the mobs become emboldened to continue their actions. If you’re a conservative, and you post your opinions on social media, you need to be aware that your posts could eventually result in your getting fired. Be prepared for that eventuality, have a lawyer ready if need be, but follow some important steps first.
1. Post Under a Pseudonym
Social media companies are trying to get people to post under their real identities as much as they can, but it’s still possible to post pseudonymously or semi-pseudonymously. If your name is John Smith, this isn’t as important as it would be to Seymour Throgbottom IV.
2. Minimize Personal Data
Don’t make your date of birth, place of residence, and especially your employer public information. All of that can be used to attack you. Many employers will claim that if you’re making your place of employment known on social media, anything you say could bring disrepute to the company. Avoid them being able to make that argument by not telling anyone on social media where you work.
3. Change Your Privacy Settings
Would you set up video cameras in every room of your house to allow voyeurs to watch you 24/7? Probably not. So don’t post every detail of your life or every thought that comes into your head for the whole world to see. Limit your sharing to close friends and family whom you trust not to rat you out. We’re living in a society that’s coming close to East German levels of treachery, with every leftist out there acting like a Stasi informant, so act accordingly.
4. Scrub Geolocation Data
Before you post pictures or video, scrub them of any data that could be used to identify where they’re taken. EXIF data from photos can be removed with editors such as GIMP, and similar geolocation data from videos should also be removed. Remember, these mobs are looking for low hanging fruit. Make the task of doxxing you too hard and they’re going to move on to an easier target.
5. Teach Your Children
Teach your children to be responsible on social media too. Like it or not, social media is here to stay, and if you’re going to engage on it, make sure that you’re using it to benefit yourself, not to harm you. Plus, it’s only a matter of time before people start getting fired for things their children post online.
6. Think Before You Post
We’ve all been guilty of posting something rashly on social media. The need to correct someone who’s wrong on the internet is a temptation so great that it’s spawned dozens of memes. But before you post something, especially if it’s on a controversial subject, walk away from your computer for at least five minutes. Then come back and read what you’ve written. Is it too rash? If so, think about changing what you say, or even not posting altogether. Very often you’ll feel much better getting your thoughts out in writing, even if you don’t post it to the world.
7. Go on the Offensive
If you find yourself the victim of these social media mobs, the worst thing you can do is to try to placate them. Obviously if you’ve really put your foot in your mouth and said something wrong or racist then you’re going to be toast. But if you’re just a conservative standing up for what’s right, don’t let yourself get steamrolled. Go on the offensive against your persecutors, organize like-minded people, and don’t be afraid to stand up to the bullies and give them a taste of their own medicine.
8. For Employers
Employers need to develop a backbone. Remember that social media mobs are just a flash in the pan. They’re little yappy dogs that nip at your heels but that are easily dispersed when you kick them. Ignore them, especially when they call on you to fire your employees. If you treat them like they don’t exist, they’ll eventually move on and forget about you, and both you and your employees will be better off. If you placate the mobs, you’re part of the problem, and part of the reason this country is becoming a left-wing cesspool that will rival the Soviet Union and East Germany in its evil.
This article was originally posted on Red Tea News.
