ONE element of the hydraulic fracturing debate unlikely to win either side of the argument any points with the general populous is the abhorrent vitriol which has become the status quo for social media showdowns in recent weeks.
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There has been perpetual disharmony between those perched on opposing sides of the fracking fence since day dot, however, the malice with which some people are now supporting their position has become almost as contentious as onshore gas exploration itself.
The question of whether or not to frack is one of the most pivotal this generation of Territorians will be forced to ask itself, yet its importance has been eroded away by name-calling, emotive speculation and textbook examples of libel.
Unfortunately, some fracking advocates and adversaries seem oblivious to the fact that abandoning evidence and logic for wild theories and malevolence does nothing but strike an irreparable and extremely public blow to their respective causes.
At what point did it become acceptable to use bullying as a tool to garner support for something you believe strongly about?
Try as they may to point the finger of blame at those at the other extreme of the argument, any social media user with an IQ slightly above that of the creators of the majority of pro- and anti-fracking memes can see both parties are equally to blame.
Facebook groups popular with the Katherine community provide countless examples of tenuous links and a penchant for pot-stirring transforming posts about unrelated issues into fracking battlefields, where bullies armed with taunts have replaced soldiers firing considered arguments at those with differing perspectives.
If you are attempting to be taken seriously as an impassioned advocate of fracking, it helps if you do not refer to those who do not share your views as a “dumbarse greenie” or “blindingly stupid”.
Conversely, you are not going to switch many Katherinites across to the anti-fracking camp by labelling anyone involved with the industry as “idiots” who represent the “epitome of ignorance”.
The rancorous opinions of cowards who hide behind the false safety of computer screens have never carried much weight.
The arguments for and against something as important to the long-term sustainability of the Northern Territory as fracking should not be used as further proof of this.
