Prove me wrong isn't moderation, it's a setup. It allows one to say whatever thet want and put the onus of disproving on the other party. Proving yourself right takes thought and time. Prove me wrong is an abdication of responsibility.
Kinda related, ADHD compelled to share.
There is a kid in my program that tries to flirt with a few of the girls by negging and mocking them incessantly for their appearance (You're a ginger), clothes or hobbies or thoughts. If any of them ever get annoyed and call him on it, it's usually in a "Why does it even matter that I'm a red head" manner, which sets him up perfectly for his creepy little human fly, hand rub and a trademark "You know. You know. Ha haa."
While having lunch with some of my cohort, this dude's behavior came up and one of the girls was like but he never does that to me.
To which this really quiet guy suddenly says, "It's because he doesn't want to sleep with you."
"What?"
And then he just broke down how this dude's approach is gaslighting, and really the reason I'm bringing it up is it was almost word for word what you just said here, but for that context. He's putting the onus on them to think "What do I know? Is he flirting with me?" and then it's them that created that idea, not him. Since he's usually rebuffed or rejected, he still has no accountability since he never actually said he was flirting with you.
Anyway, it was really funny seeing this kid break it down like that (like your post) and the eyes lighting up in every woman at that table.
There's a similar thing in the creative social media space where people will post their artwork or writing and immediately say it was just some quick. No nothing thing, no effort, it's whatever. I only had two pencils, it's just trash but I'm posting it anyway. Which we all know you're taking the time to post it and write about it. You're clearly trying to show it off. But you're getting ahead of any criticism by diminishing any perceived value, even thought most people are just gonna Like it.
I just really dislike that whole societal shift to this nonchalant "abdication of accountability".
Anyway, further on topic, I don't think any of it matters when it comes to the shooter. This administration, The Party, has already crafted a narrative of They and that's all that matters. If the the shooter fits with it, cool. If he doesn't, they will spin and misdirect and continue pushing ahead with the narrative they created the minute that trigger was pulled.
The majority of people have already made up their mind to buy into it in that minute, as we see on social.