hostility and internet chat

[backworldman]

it seems to me that people chatting on the internet are far more impolite than people in real life. i wonder why? is it simply because they can't be slapt in face? or are they playing out the bad side of a underdog personality they display in real life? what are yor thoughts?

[Khethil]

Originally Posted by backworldman

... is it simply because they can't be slapt in face?...

I think this is probably more of the reason, if I take your meaning correctly. Within the relative anonymity of the internet, folks tend to show their real selves. Unfortunately, hate finds a way.

Cheers!

[Pangloss]

There is no accountability, so the masses have a blank check for issuing ridiculous gossip and insults. If you want to see how low it gets, check out Juicy Campus which thrives on its guarantee of anonymity. People just use it to bring others down and spread rumors. I'ts quite pathetic.

[William]

I think it is a way of "getting even" for the curve's life has thrown at them. Sad, but there is one good thing about it as far as the internet is concerned.....you can turn them off surf on.

William

[Aphoric]

I deal with this issue on the other forum I visit in just about every thread. When I asked people why it was cool to say whatever the only answer I got was "it's the net." Apparently since you're dealing with ideas in the form of text attached to web browsers instead of voices attached to faces it gets all tricky and all of a sudden we forget there are still people connected to those ideas. I think it must have somethin to do with intonation.

I feel sorry for whoever invented the internet. They had this great idea about connecting people around the world to each other, then it turns out for the most part people aren't worth connecting.

[urangutan]

Aphoric, that is the oddest thing to see. Four people have offered opinions and neither have infused an insult, until you say what you want. Sometimes it begins out minor like what you have said and suddenly it escolates. It isn't easy to broach the truth or floss an opinion, while remaining detatched. More often than not, it is our attatchment that is insulting and any reprimand or action in aghast is seen as a strike against the personal.

I like to enjoy the conversations and if tugging is acceptable, then why not enjoy the wrestle. Extremists and fanatics are a case unto themselves and so far they are not knocking down the doors, when they come they will draw out the ire of many. I am hoping that sort of behaviour can enforce a booting, otherwise it simply turns ugly. it is an ugliness that has no value at all, not in reading and in no response.

[William]

Originally Posted by William

I think it is a way of "getting even" for the curve's life has thrown at them. Sad, but there is one good thing about it as far as the internet is concerned.....you can turn them off and surf on.

William

That response was a little cold. Zig Ziglar, a well know motivational speaker, had a term called "Kicking the Cat". When someone kick's your cat, you have got to find a cat that belongs to someone else and kick it. You know, get even. It's a lot like road rage as people become "titan's" in the safety of their "attack vehicle". Those who "attack" on the internet are those unfortunate among us who have been "rained on" in some way or the other and literally have no voice in the "real world" and the internet is their vehicle in which they can hide behind as they dish out, in total anominity, some of what life has dealt them. Kind of a "sharing" mechanism so they can loosen their load as they unload. What is important is do not give them what the want and that is "anger". When you do, you make their day, but accomplish nothing. When they do let their defenses down and effort to engage in civil dialog is when you can reach them. Many will not allow this to happen and that is sad. You can't patronize them either for that just heightens there anger. Ego's can indeed be vicious as these people have found a niche in life that gives them meaning, unfortunately they are extremely lonely and have good reason to attack.

The difficult part is these young people are extremely smart and many times one cannot communicate on their level. That's always been my problem. Most of the time I don't understand half of what they are talking about. But those of you who can choose your words well if you, like me, understand what creates these "disassociated" souls, and would love to be a friend. Something they don't have and have never had. IMO.

Just my opinion,
William

[The Mad Physicst]

I think alot of people don't see the internet as a network of people, but more like an interactive book.

Personally, I like to be polite, though sometimes I am a little blunt. I do like to make comments that are a little edgy if I'm looking for a more truthful (maybe even angry) response from people. Their are times when people are not as honest when they are being polite. I don't cuss at them or make degrading comments, though.

[Joe]

I remember being 14 on AOL and sometimes when i was bored i would go to chat rooms and pick fights. It was immature, but i rationalized it was ok because i some how felt that detachment. Unfortunately I stopped going to chat rooms because i started to realize i wasn't mature enough to realize that talking to people online was addictive to people who feel that they need to release pent up rage. That was me 8 years ago. sorry. lol. that feels better. closure.

[Rose]

Funny my daughter and I were just talking about that today at lunch. She is going out with a guy she met on line. Thankfully a very nice guy. But we were talking about how rude some people can get and we wondered what they got out of it. It’s not like they can see you upset. I just don’t get it.

PS. You haven't been insulted until you have been insulted on Rants N Raves.