We’ve all seen it.
There’s a group discussion
online.
Hundreds or perhaps thousands
of people are participating.
Someone gets upset
and announces she’s leaving
the group discussion.
This isn’t necessary information.
Most systems
have a way of relaying
who is in the conversation.
There is no reason
for someone to announce
they’re leaving
…unless that person
is key to the discussion.
That IS a legitimate reason
for announcing she is leaving.
But
the most likely scenario
is
that person
is using her exit
as a form of protest,
a way to force others
to be nice to her,
to listen to her.
Because some people
will tell her
not to leave.
They’ll tell her
she’s welcome in the group.
And suddenly
she goes from having
no support
to the perception
of support.
It is the adult equivalent
of saying
if you don’t agree with me,
I’m packing up
my toys
and going home.
The best way to deal
with the dramatic leavers
is to ignore them.
They likely weren’t contributing
anything useful to the conversation
anyway.
If someone is not
central to a conversation,
let them leave it.