This entire block debate, I have seen people on both sides accusing those on the other side of being a paid shill.
That needs to stop. Such an accusation without any evidence is extremely intellectually dishonest and is basically making the claim that no one is able to have a point of view or perspective that is different than yours of their own free conclusion. It is not a position that one can have an intelligent discussion with, because when you believe someone's motives are paid, you do not have any desire to listen to their perspective or try to see their point of view.
Absolutely. I'd also lump this in with "assuming bad intentions" when people have different ideas, which was recently raised in an open letter in
this thread, but it's didn't receive a great deal of attention. Also the wider issues of community
tribalism which I raised back in January. Everyone just seems so eager to jump to conclusions and attack their perceived opponents. Hardly anyone stops to establish facts anymore. I don't know if it's just a symptom of internet culture in general, leading to people becoming increasingly impatient, or merely the way humanity appears to be growing increasingly intolerant of opposing viewpoints as technology allows for more voices of dissent to be heard:
Everyone should now be coming to the rapid realisation that the more we berate, antagonise and ridicule each other, the more people dig their heels in, strengthen their resolve and try to fight. The more we make accusations about who's plotting what, which group or person is trying to overthrow Bitcoin, who the next benevolent dictator is and so on, the less anyone seems able to trust at all. We're all guilty of it in some form or another and it needs to stop now. No more pot-shots at personalities you disagree with, no more character assassinations, no more unfounded accusations of ill-intent.
