Had to choose between defending a friends old tweet or staying quiet

Last month an old tweet from my friend Mike resurfaced where he joked about something pretty offensive back in 2011. I had to decide whether to jump in and defend him saying he's changed or just stay out of it completely. I stayed quiet and it felt wrong at first but honestly the whole thing blew over in like two days without me getting dragged into it. Has anyone else had to make this call with a friend or coworker?

2 comments

2 Comments

terry_lewis2112d ago

This whole situation reminds me of something I've noticed with people in general. It's like everybody expects you to have the same opinions and act the same way forever, even though we all know people change and grow over time. In my experience, staying quiet in those moments usually works better than jumping in to defend someone, because the mob is looking for a reaction not a discussion. Your friend's old tweet from 2011 probably doesn't even reflect who he is now, and that's the part people forget about. Take it with a grain of salt, but I think most internet arguments are just people who want to feel righteous about something that happened ten years ago. Your call to stay out of it sounds smart to me, saved yourself a headache.

hayden46612d ago

2011 tweets are basically ancient history at this point, honestly. Remember when we all thought posting grainy pics of our breakfast was peak internet? I'd bet 90% of people from back then have said something dumb they wouldn't touch now with a ten foot pole. You made the right call staying out of it, those internet mobs move on faster than a cat video goes viral. Plus Mike probably owes you a beer for not getting dragged into his decade old mess.