I fucking hate when people say stuff like this. Especially when it’s on a generally good post with valuable information. On the one hand I want to share that information because it could genuinely help someone; on the other, I don’t want to spread this type of guilt-tripping and shaming and potentially trigger someone else like me. It’s a lose-lose situation. No matter what I do, I am going to feel guilty. No matter what I do, I will feel like a terrible person. It sucks and I just wish people would stop doing this. I know it’s shocking, but it is actually possible to make an important and useful post without guilting everyone that sees it into sharing.
[Image description. Various images with text. The text reads, you have no excuse to not reblog this. I don’t care what your blog theme is! Reblog to save a life! Don’t you dare fucking scroll past. Everyone needs to reblog this, idc what your excuse is this is important. Not reblogging is a moral failure! It’s mandatory! End image description.]
My communications teacher told me this, and I think it applies here:
“If you accuse someone, expect that they will immediately retaliate. We’re wired to growl back if someone growls first.”
When posts say, “you have no excuse,” the most common first thought will be something along the lines of “well maybe I do!” By framing the need to reblog as an accusation if one doesn’t, it actually drives away the otherwise passive audience that would’ve reblogged the post.
A much more successful addition to a post is something along the lines of “It would really help me/the cause out if you reblogged!” With this phrasing, it makes the passive audience feel more inclined to reblog because they will feel like they are helping you/the cause. So, it benefits both the audience and the cause
“If you accuse someone, expect that they will immediately retaliate. We’re wired to growl back if someone growls first.”
THIS THIS THIS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THIS!
If you start with fighting words, don’t be surprised when you get a fight.
