In this day and age we all get to witness people having meltdowns online. I've seen a fair share of this since I'm online often. I've had brushes of getting attacked even though I'm just innocently minding my own business.
Way back I encountered a strange person attacking me online. He was attacking me because of the company that hired me. My instinct was to ignore and just report it internally. I was advised not to engage. The person was so mad he even emailed someone high up in the organization (that person probably didn't even know me, haha). The issue eventually died down and he tried a few more times.
Through the years I experienced bashing (mild compared to others). Friends would usually give me a heads up about it and as advised I never engaged. Life has been quieter since I retired and I usually just encounter meltdowns either in socmed or private groups.
Sometimes though when issues get to close, be sure to assess whether it's really something that involves you or they're just looking for someone to blow off steam. If the person is in fight mode and you have nothing to do with the issue. STEP AWAY. Don't get yourself embroiled in something you're not really involved in. If you must then just say you'd rather not be involved.
Someone also taught me one important lesson. He said when the conversation is veering off track and not within the topic at hand, end the meeting immediately. I had a lot of crazy meetings before where I'd receive threats. I also had a neighbor scream at me on my birthday when my FIL accidentally parked on the wrong spot. It was upsetting, but I kept in mind to stay calm and leave the conversation/situation appropriately. Those were the type of people not suitable for further engagement and we'll the neighbor was having a meltdown because his father just died. I didn't know it at that time, but I'm glad I just walked away (and the parking was fixed btw).
Choose peace. In the first place, how would their rants/threats help their issue?
#BeKind #StaySafe