The term "crash out" is an unhelpful and overly nebulous term that is rife with misuse. This can create unnecessary conflict, especially in community settings where moderation sometimes must occur. In some circumstances, it can perpetuate or escalate ongoing harm in communities by "minimizing" a serious conduct violation, or in other cases, by "maximizing" a minor social indiscretion.
Rather than saying that someone is "crashing out", we need to start naming and shaming specific harmful behaviors that those individuals are participating in.
When someone is accused of "crashing out", ask for specifics.
Instead of saying that someone is "crashing out", provide details.
I know this requires extra work, and sometimes painful emotional labor to recount and record abusive situations, but it will result in a net accountability benefit for us all, which leaves everyone less vulnerable to being taken advantage of by abusers.
(DISCLAIMER: This is a subtoot about the entirety of a specific situation I am personally involved in. I am not claiming to have followed my own advice here, however I certainly wish that I had figured this out sooner. To be crystal clear, this toot is not directed at any one person individually. I am not looking to cause conflict with this toot; I am merely sharing some general observations, and what I personally have learned from them.)
