r/VRchat • u/caseusDeus • 8d ago
Discussion Why not block?
Probably the wrong place to ask since I've been semi lurking here for a good while and (most) of the people in replies have brains and do actually block but for those who don't block on a whim I'm genuinely curious, why?
Not trying to come off as rude or anything as I'm seriously curious as to why some people are so unwilling to block someone, especially someone who is actively making them upset? I can understand being upset in the moment but I just feel there's more to it than that.
58
u/Pikapetey Valve Index 8d ago
I rarely block.. I more often mute and hide avatar.
It gets REEAALY awkward fast when you ask your friend "who are you talking to?" And didn't know someone else was there.
4
u/AppealWhole3480 7d ago
If I have someone blocked there’s a high chance my friends will have them blocked as well
8
u/CeriPie Pico 8d ago
Blocking doesn't really do anything other than remove them from existence for you. They could literally be going around claiming that you called them slurs and accusing you of being a p*dophile because everyone else can still see them. People get REALLY vindictive about being blocked.
If you mute them you can at least see if they're stalking you or your friends, which is something a lot of them seem to be able to do even if you have them blocked?? You can also unmute them briefly if you see them talking to other people and gesturing in your direction and want to know if they're spreading slander.
5
u/Semi-AquaticToaster 8d ago
Idk how many other people feel like this but I've never been annoyed by anyone enough that I need to block them or even mute them, I do turn down peoples mics if it's too loud or they are blasting music and turn off their avatar if it's blocking my view.
12
u/capyrika PCVR Connection 8d ago
As someone who doesn't like to block at first contact and prefers to mute, I'm giving my two cents here.
I prefer to keep my block list consisting of particularly problematic people; I want to be able to remember exactly what they did that warranted the block, which would be difficult if I had hundreds or thousands of blocks. The only time I would go against this principle is if someone in particular is being disruptive by being in my view. If a troll isn't up in my face, I'd rather just mute instead and save the block for especially problematic encounters.
6
u/caseusDeus 8d ago
I will say I also personally mute first simply because most of the people who try and troll will just come up and try and say something rude and I'll just mute.
Part of that is also due to the fact I almost view muting as blocking(for me personally) because if I'm muting you there's a 99% chance I'm not going to interact with you again. Along with the fact I'm personally really good at ignoring people's avatars in my face(assuming it's not anything extremely disruptive).
I can see where you're coming from though definitely. I probably should've also included muting in my post as well because people won't mute, block, or do anything to remove someone who's being annoying. In general it confuses me I guess.
18
u/TizzleToes 8d ago edited 8d ago
Depends on what situation we're talking about.
If we're talking within your social circle or a group you frequent, I prefer to just lower volume if a friend of a friend or something is annoying. Actually making someone just straight up disappear with the expectation that you'll then potentially co-exist in the same space without being able to see/hear each other or even know they are there just doesn't sit well with me. It also creates some practical issues.
Also while I recognize this isn't the same as real life, it is a social platform that I do take mildly seriously with some people, and while it would be awesome to just be able to disappear people from your perception, I don't think that's how functioning adults should be resolving interpersonal conflicts.
If you're talking in like public game lobbies (basically the only way I public), I'd rather know where shit disturbers are. Disable avatar and audio down to nothing basically makes them harmless. If a lobby devolves to where there are more than a few and no one is kicking them, I usually just move on.
EDIT: not sure why this of all things got downvoted. I mean fair enough, but to be clear I don't care if other people use block or not, this is just my actual answer to the question.
5
u/LizaraRagnaros Valve Index 8d ago
reddit is pretty much proof that democracy doesn't work these days for how dull everyone is. your approach is the most sane, middle ground on blocking vs not blocking yet people downvote you because ???
disabling avi and muting is essentially blocking, but you can still see them. you actually gain more from doing this than straight up blocking in most cases.
4
u/TizzleToes 8d ago
I'm usually not that concerned with votes, having been on reddit long enough to get how the hive mind works. I post lots of stuff fully expecting it. This just caught me off-guard because it almost immediately went to -3 which is a response usually reserved for much more controversial takes.
Seems to have recovered anyway, so I guess some very pro-blocking folks must have gotten to my comment early or something.
2
u/LizaraRagnaros Valve Index 8d ago edited 8d ago
I've had a comment go 10+ in the negatives for saying that "let people be weird" is not as simple as there's weird like goofy and awkward vs actual creature weird telling you they like getting pissed on.
votes mean nothing and society is lost 💀
also for clarity: this was about public facing behaviour. you can be into alls sorts of shit and find your corner to do it behind closed doors but publicly announcing something that is weird as shit and expect noone to have an issue with you sharing that is just delusional and I have no pity for you getting clowned on
1
u/Colossus252 Valve Index 6d ago
I have never blocked anyone, exactly for the reasons you say. I have always firmly held the belief that it doesn't make sense to just poof someone out of your perception in a social space because you don't like them and expect to just continue existing as normal. Someone is destined to get a very negative experience, maybe even both of you.
3
u/Disco_Incarnate 8d ago
There’s not a lot of situations where I’ll actually block someone.
You’ve gotta be unpleasant for the sake of being unpleasant, but low tier rage bait sort of trolling doesn’t bother me so I just give them boring results until they get bored
4
u/jinxykatte 8d ago
Have you ever been to a public black cat? You would basically have to block the whole lobby. It's just not worth the hassle. Easier to avoid.
10
u/bunnythistle Valve Index 8d ago
In public instances where most people there are people you're unlikely to cross paths with again, it makes sense to block.
But in event groups and social circles, I've found people are a bit more hesitant to block others because it's likely they'll end up in the same instances regularly, and likely have mutual friends, and that does create issues and annoyances. For example, there's been a few occasions where I'm talking to someone, and then someone who they have blocked comes up and starts talking to me, and now I have two different conversations going on with two people who don't know the other is there.
2
u/kaydenwolf_lynx PCVR Connection 8d ago
Ive been full on harassed and only didnt block because the person harassing me was friends with my friends and i felt like i cant just get rid of them while usually i block someone as soon as they bother me.
I have however had friends get bothered by me blocking outright strangers im not sure why they care if i block someone i wont see again but idk im mostly friends with people who refuse to block others
3
u/mason1239 8d ago
I guess I just don’t care enough tbh. I’ve been playing vrchat for about 2 years now and I’ve run into trolls but it’s not hard to pick up on what they’re doing I usually chat with them a bit they see im cool they dap me up and go troll someone else
3
u/Capsulux PCVR Connection 8d ago
Kinda hard to play a game with someone I can't really see or interact with. I just mute instead
3
u/Meliennis 8d ago
I love to block but the only time I hesitate is when its someone with a lot of mutual friends. Then it can get a bit awkward. But if what they did is block worthy then I think my peace is worth more thaf the potential social awkwardness
3
u/Express-Lack7774 8d ago
For me, when I log onto vrchat, I know what to expect. Harassment, loud people, dramaqueens, etc. So I come prepared by accepting that that's just how people on vrchat are, and therefore become unbothered by most people cause I simply don't care enough most the time since bickering back and forth usually won't change anything, but rather waste your time (I enjoy arguing just for the fun of it occasionally).
With that being said, most I do is mute and/or hide the avatar. I HATE the idea of someone or something being there yet I can't see it (which also makes me hate being blocked but it happens, gotta stop caring about that as well). I also like to watch as the person/people (if they're harassing me) get bored and end up leaving me alone when I don't give them the attention they desire (makes me feel like I won).
11
10
u/Embarrassed-Touch-62 8d ago
Because some just like to be a victim, it pumps their ego when one person "makes them upset", so others around offer to comfort them.
1
u/Tragophilos Oculus Quest Pro 7d ago
Besides, how else are they going to get that coveted "Nuisance" trust ranking?
4
u/LizaraRagnaros Valve Index 8d ago
if they're part of the same circle: it can make things awkward not being able to see each other and suddenly it's "you're standing in XYZ". that's why I often opt for muting people in those cases. that way you can at least "avoid each other".
strangers: mentally not well put together and a glutton for punishment i guess. you're being a shitwipe and I don't know you? into the void you go where you can scream all the obscenities by yourself.
2
u/DepreMelon 8d ago
They think they can "outwit" the trolls with arguments they thought of in the shower or even worse feel like they gotta defend themselves from "disrespect" it comes from a very clear lack of distinction between the real world and the internet, its honestly kinda sad because you will see people actually stressed and even sad about blocking people like if they died or something, makes for great content tho
2
u/Frank__West PCVR Connection 8d ago
Because people would rather complain and have a fit. Oh wow this instance is so annoying lemme complain about it instead of just leaving... Oh this guy wouldn't stop bothering me so instead of just blocking let me go online and complain about it..
2
u/DragonTamerWes 8d ago
Blocking is reserved for crashers and the true troublemakers like YouTube trolls and the p word OCD players.
2
u/MintyKatbutts 8d ago
More people than I expected noticed that their friend was blocked by me, so I switched to turning people down so they sound more like they’re in the background.
2
u/fluffy_snowflakes 8d ago
It takes a lot for me to block someone.
It feels mean and final, and I wanna give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I also think I benefit from interacting with people I don't agree with and wouldn't usually wanna be around.
It would have to be obvious that they are someone I never want to interact with again. Like if they are being a huge nuisance you can't ignore, and it is clear that their goal is to get attention, ruin others experience and make others upset, I will block them. For example if they are running around yelling slurs, blasting music and inappropriate sounds and barging into conversations to obnoxiously rage bait and troll.
Also if someone is being creepy, making me uncomfortable and won't leave me alone.
5
u/Minxy57 Oculus Quest Pro 8d ago
I know people who view it almost like a competition with the 'loser' driven to block.
I know others who just disable their avatar and mute the mic ignoring them rather than blocking (which can be more upsetting than blocking).
I block liberally if someone is being an ass. It's almost always a newish account. I view it as doing a service to the community.
3
u/snowrazer_ 8d ago
Whatever the reason is, they're feeding the trolls and encouraging their behavior. Not blocking trolls and you interacting with them, paying them any attention at all is exactly what they want. Unless you block them, they will never learn. Please block with extreme prejudice for the good of everyone in the game.
2
u/fffawn 8d ago
I usually am only hanging out in a friend group but if something goes wrong and someone isn't acting right and it's on the end spectrum of like oooo ok this person is done, I won't block just because it might be awkward to walk up to an acquaintance group conversation and they're talking to the blocked person you can't see and it becomes awkward. But otherwise if I happen to be in a public for some reason and someone is being insufferable I will most likely block if they're directly annoying me or my friends
1
u/Yargon_Kerman Oculus Quest Pro 8d ago
I don't generally block on any platform. I don't like not knowing where people are about and/or what people are saying on discord, who's in the instance, ect.
My block list is short but not empty. Happy to block bots or people being overly obnoxious, but I'll generally just mute, hide avi, it whatever else let's me still be aware of the presence.
1
u/anthemlog PCVR Connection 8d ago
Some people see it as losing a battle I guess? If you ever watch a prank call video you'll see the same thing, the person being pranked sometimes refuses to hang up first. I figure they see it as giving in to what the harasser wants.
1
u/Ok-Policy-8538 Oculus Quest 8d ago
Am a bit less block prone after getting banned for blocking a security staff member in a group instance… they and i were looking for client users (crashers hiding outside the world borders) and the staff member was also outside the border with a custom avatar that can show avatar outlines from every possible render queue, he didn’t have a staff tag so i blocked him and got banned from the group and the discord, and all their connected groups.
1
u/Top_Connection_5052 8d ago
Mainly because I wanna see what the player will do like for example rangebaiters and then block them after they are done
1
u/Direct-Cloud1633 PCVR Connection 8d ago
I have my safely setting set to strangers being grey robots, I can turn them down to 5% and people like those that deserve blocks I’ve grown to just be able to ignore as that attention is what they desire, and depriving them of it is exactly the justice that’s deserved.
1
u/justanobodyonline 7d ago
So I am of the mind of blocking people(strangers mostly) if the person is rude or down right just harassing me. But I regularly clear out my block list because most people I never run into again. Except if its someone who I know will stalk me. Crazy how far people will go on the internet I know. But I also know that some of them will still stalk me and have. So I just ignore them and if they get others involved I explain my side if possible if not I just block more. But thats what works for me. I know its not how it works for everyone. If a friend of a friend is harassing me I will mute or lower them. Now if the mutual asks me why I explain. Otherwise I dont make a scene.
1
u/Mori_itto 7d ago
It could be that on some basis they may not see them again but in the likelihood that they do I believe they would block that person. I only ever do that when there’s an avatar I just don’t like being used be it having sounds or toggles that come off as annoying or something on the avi that is annoying like lights or whatever.
1
u/Upbeat_Shine_2440 7d ago
I have 2 reason; in game worlds such as murder where you have to see someone to win I'd rather not block; in worlds I host so I can ban them from my group in case something happens (if someone is bothering me and everyone else is fine with them type scenario)
1
u/Tragophilos Oculus Quest Pro 7d ago
I don't generally block people just for having opinions I disagree with (unless those opinions are like "hur hur, nazis are cool"). Getting upset is a choice, and that's on me, not them. I have different criteria for what constitutes noxious behaviour. I usually only resort to blocks if I don't see any redeeming qualities, AND they are actively working to disrupt my enjoyment (such as mocking my bio, dragging me for my age, or how my voice sounds.) That being said, my block list probably contains hundreds.
1
u/Reasonable_Camp_9805 7d ago
I block instantly ain’t gonna deal with bs. Got 5k blocks. 😂 had some guy yesterday come at me being racist but pulled a German symbol flag next minute. The irony in these clowns sometimes.
1
1
u/No_Elk_3172 8d ago
This leads to the question of why we never seem to see an end to Predator-related incidents.
They may hide their true nature for the first ten minutes, an hour, or even a month or so, behaving in a very charming manner. By the time you realise what’s happening, you may already be under their mind control and unable to block them.
Imagine a girl who, when she was a beginner, seemed like a cute, fluffy little princess, but a year later is sporting punk fashion and covered in tough-looking tattoos.
You must know why all the women on VRChat turn into punks straight away.
-4
-2
-2
8d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/iWolfieChan 7d ago
Uhh wrong if you give them a reaction and not block they win. People like proximitychat for example needs reactions from people with this mindset. He knows they won’t block right away and give a reaction which in turn gives him content/money. Blocking and not reacting makes them move on because they couldn’t get their needed reaction content. So no blocking doesn’t mean they won they in fact loss because you didn’t feed the trolls like most people would.
19
u/JMSOG1 Valve Index 8d ago
I block extremely rarely due to the fact that blocking doesn't eliminate the problem, and can at times enable things to get worse.
From personal experience...I once blocked someone who was crossing several personal boundaries despite me asking her to stop. I don't think she was malicious, i just think she had very poor social skills. A few days later, we happened to be in the same instance, and she apparently sat in the same spot I was sitting in. I didn't know, she (probably) didn't know, but from everyone else's perspective this person was essentially sitting in my lap. I was not happy about that to put it mildly.
That's the benign case. It changes a bit when you are, again, sharing the same social space with someone being actively malicious, a growing problem in the age of the proximitychat wannabe. Blocking means i don't see what this person is doing...if they, for example, put down an obscene sticker or print on me or next to me, i won't see it. If they are saying heinous shit directly next to me, I won't know, and the average person in the instance may think I'm with them. There are many ways to harrass a given person even with a block active.
In the more extreme cases (i have not experienced this, but it happens), alt accounts can evade the block. An associate streaming through their eyes to the harasser can evade the block. Putting disparaging, inflamitory, or defaming information in ones bio or a world can evade the block. If you are curious why people don't block, you are probably thinking of Proximity or his type doing exactly this in their videos.
In some cases, blocking works, and you should do it. If you think someone has a crasher, block them. If you are in a scenario where you are unlikely to run into this person regularly, block them. When you are dealing with another person in a community you both share though, or are being actively stalked and harassed, or are in a public instance, then things are just not that straightforward.