Oh by the way, if you find an instance that seems pretty toxic (my troll was from a "libertarian" instance) there is a way to block the entire instance, even if your own doesn't block it. Go to a user of that instance's profile and in the three-dot menu, there's the option to block the domain.
@davidbilla Why block instead of mute? Other than habit from other platforms.
@sparr Why mute instead of block?
I want to block, not mute, because I don't want these people anywhere near me, I don't want them to read what I post, I don't want them to know anything about me, I don't want them in my life, even the little bit of it I share here.
I use mute for people I may find annoying, but not that bad (or topics I have no interest in and that may be recurrent in my timeline)
@davidbilla I don't think "I want to show this content to the entire world, except for these specific people" is a viable concept, and letting people think it is will prove harmful in the long run.
@sparr Well, I will politely but strongly disagree with this.
@davidbilla You know those people can still see your toots, right?
@sparr No I didn't. It doesn't matter. Blocking them is telling them that they're not welcome near me.