If someone misinterprets something you’ve said, and they’re upset because of something that they’ve imagined is there generally anything that you can do, or is it generally too late when people are upset?

Earlier today, a few people got upset with me on Twitter for saying that big conferences often have big corporate sponsors, but, I failed to clarify that big conferences do not always have big corporate sponsors and that big corporate sponsors are not obligated to provide conference speakers with lots, and lots of money.

I tried to clarify what I meant, but they used screenshots of a tweet to “prove” that I was lying, and to prove that I was gaslighting others.

Since I explained myself and my position to a woman, I was automatically mansplaining.

But, as far as I know, if someone misinterprets you, and you correct them with your interpretation, that’s not gaslighting, and explaining yourself in the event of a misunderstanding is not mansplaining.

Maybe the right answer is to take the loss, and remember to be more careful next time, but, I just don’t get it.

Are there any safe, disarming phrases that one can use in the case that people are upset, sharpening their pitchforks, etc., over a misinterpretation or miscommunication?

Should you admit to being the bad guy and apologize for what you’ve done, even if you don’t know what the mob is angry about in an effort to quiet the mob down?