Negativity on the internet

[East Bay Rider]

I've seen this all the while my son (17) was growing up. I blame the irresponsible handholding, coddling that many kids receive. I've seen 'Mommy's perfect angel' just be outright hostile, mean and downright cut to the bone to other kids. I've seen 'Daddy's special sports prodigy' cheat and lie and bully and never be held accountable. Report bad behavior to the teacher or tell the parents results in diffusion, possible separation and no real punishment or change in behavior. Zero tolerance policies assure that kids are not allowed to fight back lest they get in just as much trouble as the instigator. So what do we get? Little jerk kids that were never given consequences grow up to be self important young adults who think that everything they think or say is worth hearing no matter how shocking or antisocial it is. Tell them that they're wrong and now we have adults throwing tantrums and getting violent. They were never conditioned to hear that they can be wrong and when put in that situation they lash out.

[bde]

AMEN BROTHER!

[mjk2613]

Some great comments guys, love reading what everyone thinks.

[dalip]

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

Too much political correctness all round if you ask me.
Everybody thinking the same and afraid to say something. At least some people let themselves go a bit on the internet. Very good!

You're missing the point - This isn't about differing opinions - it's about consideration and respect in the way those opinions are expressed.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by dalip

You're missing the point - This isn't about differing opinions - it's about consideration and respect in the way those opinions are expressed.

x2 I've seen a lot of rude, passive-aggressive comments justified under the guise that "it's boring if everyone agrees all the time."

[joe100]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I've seen this all the while my son (17) was growing up. I blame the irresponsible handholding, coddling that many kids receive. I've seen 'Mommy's perfect angel' just be outright hostile, mean and downright cut to the bone to other kids. I've seen 'Daddy's special sports prodigy' cheat and lie and bully and never be held accountable. Report bad behavior to the teacher or tell the parents results in diffusion, possible separation and no real punishment or change in behavior. Zero tolerance policies assure that kids are not allowed to fight back lest they get in just as much trouble as the instigator. So what do we get? Little jerk kids that were never given consequences grow up to be self important young adults who think that everything they think or say is worth hearing no matter how shocking or antisocial it is. Tell them that they're wrong and now we have adults throwing tantrums and getting violent. They were never conditioned to hear that they can be wrong and when put in that situation they lash out.

Exactly!

I was lampooned a bit in the "private school" thread a ways down. Sheltering children from the cold hard reality of life does them no favors. I didn't go to a rough school by any means but I learned there are jerks in this world.

I worked with a grown woman a few years back who would cry a lot. She told us that we picked on her and "hazed" her. Out of 50 employees she was the only one who felt this way. She mistook friendly workplace banter for malice. She told us she went to private school and that we "didn't know what it was like". In no way were we mean. When you interact with people in the real world you can't expect love and compassion every second.

[vitalsignsrn]

I think just too many trolls or too many trolls with different online names. Plus the anonymous nature of the net too lets them say whatever they want. I skim this stuff myself. Is sad to think how stunted socially these people are in real life.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by vitalsignsrn

I think just too many trolls or too many trolls with different online names. Plus the anonymous nature of the net too lets them say whatever they want. I skim this stuff myself. Is sad to think how stunted socially these people are in real life.

Without trolls I couldn't be a troll hunter and I love hunting trolls.

[Cc1966]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Without trolls I couldn't be a troll hunter and I love hunting trolls.

[vitalsignsrn]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Without trolls I couldn't be a troll hunter and I love hunting trolls.

Touche!

[RolexDivers]

Everyone's balls become enlarged when they know they can hide and will not be held responsible for their actions.... The mouse starts acting like a lion ... simple psychology....

[RolexDivers]

Originally Posted by joe100

If you think youtube is bad, read the comments posted on CNN. The hate spewed there is horrifying. Free speech or not, some people just need to be isolated. One day we are going to have to get back to common sense.

CNN is a glorified TMZ channel. They cover all kinds of garbage, so I have stopped watching. For good unbiased news, try BBC.

[Wesley Crusher]

Ignoring the trolls and internet bullies is always the best policy. Why are mean people the way they are? More than likely, it's because their unhappy with themselves and making people feel bad is how they make themselves feel good. Being mean online is even easier since you can hide behind a computer screen... perfect for cowards.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by 77T

Not just online behavior - look at the rise in road rage incidents. Or hooligans at sports events and inexplicable violence like the "knockout game".

My point is: People act and react completely differently when in certain modalities where they think "no one is looking".

Online misbehavior, driving misbehavior, etc. - these incidents rise as people feel little or no consequences for their actions and cannot find more productive ways to deal with their problems.

Their powerlessness and loss of character finds all sorts of outlets for acting out. No excuse for it - just my 2¢ on how the trend seems to hit more areas than the Internet.

Paul I think that yuo hit the nail on the head. Ever almost walk into someone on the street, then you go off to one side only to almost walk into them again, both of you usually smile and chuckle, hey, wanna dance kind of thing. Now if you're in a vehicle in a parking lot in the same situation things escalate quickly with fists shaking and horns blaring.
I do believe too that it is a generational issue also. No offense to our younger members here but this type of thing seems much more prevelant with the younger generation. This is not always the case though as I've witnessed not too long ago in a parking lot in North Carolina. Young man parks his car outside a business, business owner comes out and yells for him not to park there. I'm thinking, here we go... young man gets out saying that he's so sorry Sir, Sir this and that. The fact that we were a quarter mile from a Marine base and the young man was obviously in the Corp had an awful lot to do with how that situation turned out, an exception rather than the norm, gave me a good feeling about the future generation.

[Hooper]

I find the internet evokes a kind of mob mentality, when a few are able to commit crimes and evoke hatred and hide behind the masses, so to does the internet allow for the same behaviour!! Those who hide behind the masses of different IP addresses spreading negativity! Sad but true, one of the downfalls of being tethered to the world wide web.

[anilzat]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Without trolls I couldn't be a troll hunter and I love hunting trolls.

And what does trolls look like?

[HL65]

Originally Posted by anilzat

And what does trolls look like?

[Bangel]

Originally Posted by mjk2613

Recently I have been watching a lot of different videos on Youtube. These videos are everything from educational, to documentaries about wealthy or influential people. Inevitably, I will scroll down and read some of the comments. Some of the comments I read are so reprehensible, I become completely not interested in reading anymore.

Mike, your experience is exactly the same as mine.

Some comments are so vile, disgusting and sociopathic that I lose the desire to continue reading. Sometimes I don't even bother with the comments section at all. Like you say, it doesn't seem to matter what the subject matter of the video is.

Like others have said, I think anonymity and lack of consequence emboldens those people to behave like they do. I liken it to the idiot in the crowd at a football game hurling insults and abuse to a player who would be too cowardly to do the same if faced with the same player face to face, one on one.

Where this lack of civility and respect originates from I don't know. Maybe it's a chicken and egg type situation with modern communication technology? The ability to leave anonymous comments is so ubiquitous on the Internet that it has become the norm. Does the ability to leave anonymous comments lead to lack of respect or does lack of respect lead to the posting of reprehensible comments??

[BA211]

Originally Posted by NavitimerNut

Mike, I completely agree. Many people say things on the internet that they wouldn't say in person. This could be that they find it easier to voice their negativity to their computer screen than to someone's face.

Yes I agree. Easy to be a big man/woman to the computer. It won't break your nose for being an arse.

[anilzat]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

[FeelingTheBlues]

A lot of interesting views around here. Speaking for myself I think it has a lot to do with being able to hide behind a computer screen and a keyboard, regardless of the education received and the age of the person.

Sure, a lot of people of my age bully others online, it's not a myth. The only thing that makes me think it has more to do with our generation and morals is that you see many older people acting just the same as well. I've seen and heard of quite 30, 35 and 40 years olds who trolled on Internet just as much. To me it has more to do with people feeling very lonely and trying to boost their very low confidence by bullying and trolling others, it's easier to feel powerful when people don't see or know you and psychologically it may help those very people who would otherwise feel miserable.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by cop414

Paul I think that yuo hit the nail on the head. Ever almost walk into someone on the street, then you go off to one side only to almost walk into them again, both of you usually smile and chuckle, hey, wanna dance kind of thing. Now if you're in a vehicle in a parking lot in the same situation things escalate quickly with fists shaking and horns blaring.
I do believe too that it is a generational issue also. No offense to our younger members here but this type of thing seems much more prevelant with the younger generation. This is not always the case though as I've witnessed not too long ago in a parking lot in North Carolina. Young man parks his car outside a business, business owner comes out and yells for him not to park there. I'm thinking, here we go... young man gets out saying that he's so sorry Sir, Sir this and that. The fact that we were a quarter mile from a Marine base and the young man was obviously in the Corp had an awful lot to do with how that situation turned out, an exception rather than the norm, gave me a good feeling about the future generation.

Exactly, however I think a lot of that is attributable to the long history of USMC training. Even after decades of being out my buddies still say "sir" "ma'am" and "vehicle" instead of car.

These guys will train their children right.

[tudorluv]

I agree their is a lot of negativity on the net. I see it most on comments and replies to news articles. Some very discouraging attitudes. On the other hand that is something I really enjoy about this forum - such genuine kindness 99% of the time, even to strangers. People going out of there way to help each other. Happy new year everyone.

[jot_]

Reading through this thread, I'm reminded of a 2000+ year old quote from Socrates.

"Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room; they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers."

;)

As to the internet comments, I'm pretty sure I can't post this but google "John Gabriel's Greater Internet Theory." I think that about sums it up.

[Brenngun]

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

Too much political correctness all round if you ask me.
Everybody thinking the same and afraid to say something. At least some people let themselves go a bit on the internet. Very good!

Originally Posted by BarkMaster

This attitude leads to the very anti-social behavior that the OP mentioned.

Originally Posted by dalip

You're missing the point - This isn't about differing opinions - it's about consideration and respect in the way those opinions are expressed.

X3

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Without trolls I couldn't be a troll hunter and I love hunting trolls.

Everyone needs a purpose ......


Ultimately I believe it's the result of a growing gap between intelligence and ignorance within the population. The latter is growing exponentially faster than the former. Intelligent well thought out positions both pro and con, presented in a civil manner on any subject is welcome at all times. It leads to better understanding and potential growth. Nasty commentary is usually the by product a frustration born from ignorance. As we are all inextricably linked it's important that we don't just avoid dealing with ignorance. In fact we need to aggressively attack the reason. Education is the key. Without it our future is lost.

[Rock]

I often use my long morning walk to reflect on the absurdity of the human condition.
I was thinking this morning (90 degrees F at 0800) about the human capacity for cruelty.
Our capacity for cruelty distinguishes us from every other creature on the planet.
This in turn raises questions about 'sanity' and 'normalcy'.
What proportion of humans are "sane/normal" and "kind/considerate"? Is it 20% or is it 80%? Or do we all have a capacity for cruelty in a given situation.
What proportion of people on forums have a 'mental problem'?
What proportion of respondents are simply 'self-obsessed' - and have been badly raised with no respect for others?
Is Western society on the big slide into oblivion?
As a Criminologist/Sociologist I know a lot of the questions but few of the answers.

[RolexDivers]

People get offended and excited way too easily and their ego gets involved. THey think by writing more and producing evidence, they will change someone's mind. It doesn't happen.

I do not get into arguments with anyone on any forum. If 2+2 is 56 for you, then good for you... If you see angels flying overhead in the sky every day, then good for you. I state my point from my point of view and move on, not trying to flame anyone or trying to be a troll.

And remember, in any argument, the one who loses control is the loser. You can say 2+2=4 in an angry way and people will look at you funny like something is wrong with you. But if you say 2+2=22 in a calm way, people will believe you. The one who loses temper, regardless of how well his/her arguments are, looks like a mental case...

Personally for me, you can make personal attacks on me, my wife and my kids, my religion etc etc and nothing bothers me.... all that does is reveals your mental state and all I do is sit back and laugh at your mental state....

[Vincent65]

Lots of great views and comments here already. Sadly, the internet gives an 'anonymous' or at least faceless voice to the great illiterati, along with everyone else. Ignorance abounds, and it never ceases to amaze. Add this to the general break-down of society and respect (ironically, fuelled in large part by the rise of the internet), and you get the ugly but inevitable result of the emergence of the lower, less savoury elements of human nature, when afforded such 'freedom'. Look what happens when riots occur, or looting begins...

[AzPaul]

I was raised in a fairly religious home. Humility, guilt and embarrassment (when warranted) remain a functioning part of my psyche and decision making process. Not a bag thing if you ask me.
In my opinion, current society could use a good healthy dose of all three.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by codecow

Exactly, however I think a lot of that is attributable to the long history of USMC training. Even after decades of being out my buddies still say "sir" "ma'am" and "vehicle" instead of car.

These guys will train their children right.

Agree 110%