What usually does it is being objectified -- spoken to as if I don't exist.

Muting has become an option on Twitter, but sometimes it doesn't work.

The take-away is this -- everyone is a person. Don't "speechify" at people.

If you have something to say to the world, say it to the world. If you put my name on it, then I have to read it whether or not I follow you. If it's sufficiently annoying, I use the tools I have to shut off the channel.

This is how I keep from getting mired in online "wars," which from my point of view are people wanting to get closer than is comfortable. Often in an abusive way. I don't spend a lot of time thinking about whether or not to use the tools, I just use them.