A recent comment of Rob's inspired me to make this thread.

Why does it seem that the Internet is home to so much more hostility than any other form of communication? Nowhere else would you see some of the things that are said. I doubt anyone here would insult anyone else as directly in person, over the phone, or in a letter as they would on the Internet. What is it about the Internet that makes people think that all rules of civility and decency need not apply? Is it just the anonymity, or is there another factor? Why do people believe that if another person becomes upset over something said on the Internet that the person is overreacting and being unreasonable? How is it any different than if the person became upset over a newspaper article, a letter, or a phone call that directly ridiculed him or her?

Please don't just respond with "THE INTERNET IS SERIOUS BUSINESS." We all know it isn't, but I don't think it's so different from other forms of communication that all rules of civility can be ignored.

If there are any future psychologists here, if you ever do a study on the behavior of people on the internet versus their behavior when communicating in a different fashion, let us know. So far the things I'm seeing on Google have to do with topics such as Internet addiction, not really the motivation behind anonymous hostility.

Thoughts?

Some people are just jerks!

your retarded

Just kidding, you're right. But people won't change, because they have no incentive to not be jerks. :\

People are inherantly *******s, and on the internet the consequences of being an ******* are significantly less than real life.

I think it's all about the anonymity. For a lot of people, morality is enforced by fear of negative consequences, and anonymity allows them to behave how they want without fear of retribution. It's the ring of Gyges.

What we need is someone like Frodo to take the internet to the top of a volcano and chuck it in. Or... silly laws about annoying people via digital media. Where's the article on that one again?

People feel secure because no one knows where they live.

Yeah. The annonimity and the lack of real world consequeces allow people to get away with behavior that would get them punched in the face in hte real world.

Yeah.

"The internet is like alcohol, it takes away people's inhibitions."

This applies to otherwise civil conversation, sadly.

GBStv knows where YOU live.

Everything I've ever said on Massassi, I'd say in person. A lot of the '*******ness' you people complain about is simply due to the lack of voice involved. You can be modest, joking, or tactful with your choice in tone. Furthermore, EVERY vocal sentance carries some level of sarcasm, something not detectable online [or even in person, for some people who can't pick up on it. Those people tend to take far more offense to things than others] and thus, makes it look like a worse place.

However, a LOT of idiots that are on line outright cuss, bash, and make fun of eachother. I REALLY don't think we have THAT at massassi. The above paragraph applies to massassi, while the rest of the internet is the sesspot that is immaturity. I don't think it's even the internet, as young people tend to act identically towards eachother at schools and whatnot too.

JediKirby

I agree with JediKirby

Sarcasm is like a foriegn language to some people.....

A sesspot?


Whatever I say on these forums is something that I would say directly to someone if he were present. I can see how being anonymous would rid some people of their fear of vulnerability, but most are probably that rude in person. And also, people get a lot more time to think about what they might say on a message board - so their post is likely to be closer to what they really want to say.

Shut the **** up you **** ***** **** ***** *** ****!!!!

...

/me runs

Kirby's right, though. I've seen forums where 90% of the flame wars (or "arguments" if you like) went like this:

Person 1: Hey, did anyone hear the rumour that so and so dies in that one TV show?

Person 2: That rumor's already been discredited, moron.

Person 1: It's not my fault your a retard

Person 2: Oh great, more 4th grade insults is that the best you can do? idiot

*5 more people join in for 10 pages*

Admin: Stop it. I'm locking this.

*flame war starts again in another thread 4 hours later*

Maybe because you can say pretty much anything you want and usually get away with it? It's hard to effectively retaliate when there are continents and oceans between you and whoever you are arguing with, so people are not afraid to shoot their mouth off.

I'd say 90% of it is because people don't understand sarcasm. They should require you to take a class in high school, sarcasm 101.

Or, for the 28345925th time, maybe it's that sarcasm doesn't translate well over the internet?

It has nothing to do with repercussions--it's just why not say it? I might not say it in real life because arguments in real life last for months (trust me, I've been on the wrong end of this). On the internet they're forgotten after hours, days, or weeks.

Oh the sarcasm, Freelancer.

Okay, let's put it this way: Every ****ing thing I say, with the single exception of this sentence, is sarcastic, a complete lie, or nonsense.

Really?

o rly?

I'm never sarcastic, you burgerboy asscrackers.

No.

I contemplated letting everyone just let it all out and trash everything/one in hopes of it being theraputic.

Then I realized this is "The Internet." It ain't gonna work.

Im bookmarking this for my own reference.

And dont try to delete it either :p Admins can read deleted posts

I can't help but get the feeling that you have specific people in mind when you bring this up...

well put

I'm just an *******, and most peole don't deserve my civility.

I'd say the exact same things to your face.

I'm this jolly all the time.

I've noticed that on the internet I seem to be extremely polite compared to other internet users. On real life... well, I just say "Hi" and wave asshair.

*pokes head into conversation from the corner of the room*



I agree with this, but I think I'm just shier on here because I'm new... I'll probably get louder and then the sarcasm with show though

I think it's like text messages; you can easily read it wrong depending on how you read the punctuation.

Oh... crap.