Personally I never ignored anybody. No matter how drastic opinions one might have, it is good thing to exchange the opinions and often controversial opinions are quoted in other replies, so when you block 1 member, you are loosing track what other members are talking about.
I agree that blocking members because you don't like their opinions is a bad idea. That is where echo chambers come from.
In my years on the list, I have blocked exactly four members (only two of whom are still around). I did so not because I didn't like their opinions, but for repeated, blatant
ad hominem attacks. That, I just can't stomach.
P.S. -- While we are on the topic, let me repeat my frequent plea for an "ignore thread" feature. There is presently no way to scan the entire content stream without being forced to scan the same very long list of threads that don't interest me over and over again. Such a feature would vastly streamline the list for those of us who wish to see all new topics.