So... why exactly ARE we jerks to one another online?

[Writer]

We sort of accept cruel behavior online as a given, but have we asked ourselves if this is a value that we're willing to live with? Or should we strive for better interpersonal communication online?

Huh? HUH? What do YOU think? (Yes YOU.)

I'll take my responses off the air... if anything because I'm going to be gone until Monday, at least. :popcorn:

~Writer~

[Maccagirl]

1. Obviously people think anonymity gives them the right to be jerks

I've ceased to be surprised by the level of meanness, but continue to be greatly saddened by the tolerance of this "phenonmenon". Also, it's much worse on other message boards (Yahoo, YouTube etc)-DU is fairly tame except for the flame wars that erupt from time to time.

[Cabcere]

2. Nice post, Hitler.

:eyes:












:hide: (Sorry, I couldn't resist!) :hug:

[SPKrazy]

3. that's the jerkiest thing anyone has said all ....

well in the last 10 min at least :P

some people are cruel

some people are cruel online because they presume anonymity will protect them

some people get off on being cruel online

some people just need to be told

FUCK YOU!!!

:P

that's what I think Mussolini!

[DarkTirade]

4. People have a tendancy to be assholes.

There are no repercussions for doing so on the internet, so some feel free to do so.

Me, I treat people the same no matter what kind of communication I'm using. Which is why I like to stick to sarcasm and the like. It can be used for laughs or for serious insulting. :)

[FloridaJudy]

5. It's the anonymity

Many folks act like jerks online just because they can get away with it. What's the worst that can happen? Getting tombstoned? Compare to real life: you could wind up with your nose bloodied, your job lost, your nearest and dearest alienated, your rear end sued or a night in the local lock-up if you mouth off in the flesh.

People also tend to forget there are other human beings reading your messages, since all we can see in front of us is a keyboard/monitor. It's also a heckuvalot easier to fire off a nasty E-mail than to write a nasty letter. Between writing/printing it, finding an envelope and stamp, addressing it, and physically sticking it in a mailbox, there's plenty of time for reconsideration with a snail-mail message.

All of this tends to cater to people with jerk-like tendencies. And almost all of us have such tendencies from time to time. If you never, ever had them, you're probably a candidate for canonization.

[billyskank]

6. I'd kinda come to the conclusion that a lot of people here are just jerks.

:shrug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

7. Because we can (n/t)

[Blue Diadem]

8. Cyber life really isn't that much different from real life,

Some people behave the same, if they aren't saying insulting things to your face, they're saying it behind your back. Of course, then someone has to come and tell you what was said behind your back. The bullies are still bullies, those that participate in group attacks and harassment are no different than those that do it in real life too.

Maybe if we do strive for better communication online, it would carry over into the real world. It's a nice thought.