Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,121,778 times
Reputation: 11862
Advertisements
Whether it be chat, fb comments, twitter, a message board, youtube comments.etc, it's often been said that the anonymity (well relative anonymity) of being behind a computer screen makes people speak their mind a lot more.
If this is true, than people must really have some ugly/mean thoughts, because i see tons of arguing, pettiness, rudeness, heartlessness, racism, prejudice, homophobia.etc all over the internet. In your experience, do you think this truly reveals how most people are? I even catch myself doing this sometimes, being a bit nasty or short on the net, saying things I wouldn't in real life. I'm never hurtful for the sake of it and don't like starting arguments, but I can feel myself getting steamy online and letting it get the better of me.
If this is true, than people must really have some ugly/mean thoughts, because i see tons of arguing, pettiness, rudeness, heartlessness, racism, prejudice, homophobia.etc all over the internet. In your experience, do you think this truly reveals how most people are?
I definitely do think that it's more reflective of the way they are. On this message board, I see some people as being really nasty. Someone might come here for some help or an opinion, try to explain their situation, and there is always a few that are downright insulting.
There are plenty of ways to disagree with someone without being heartless or mean. It actually drives me away from asking anything sometimes.
The internet is anonymous. People would never say to someones face what they post on message boards. With anonymity comes bravado. And, I've noticed in today's society kindness and respect are quickly disappearing. Rudeness and insults prevail.
If this is true, than people must really have some ugly/mean thoughts, because i see tons of arguing, pettiness, rudeness, heartlessness, racism, prejudice, homophobia.etc all over the internet.
Yes, I think it's reflective of what people really think. There are a lot of jerks out there. For years, I've wondered what kind of vitriol my co-workers spew online. They hold it together at work, but I know there's something brewing under there.
Whether it be chat, fb comments, twitter, a message board, youtube comments.etc, it's often been said that the anonymity (well relative anonymity) of being behind a computer screen makes people speak their mind a lot more.
If this is true, than people must really have some ugly/mean thoughts, because i see tons of arguing, pettiness, rudeness, heartlessness, racism, prejudice, homophobia.etc all over the internet. In your experience, do you think this truly reveals how most people are? I even catch myself doing this sometimes, being a bit nasty or short on the net, saying things I wouldn't in real life. I'm never hurtful for the sake of it and don't like starting arguments, but I can feel myself getting steamy online and letting it get the better of me.
This is really interesting. It depends on which platform they use i guess.
People tend to be say things they really mean on platforms that are generally less popular such as Twitter, Tumblr and forums since they provide room for anonymity or private space.
Facebook, on the other hand, is a really tricky one. Because everyone is using it now and the changes on privacy settings such as the news ticker, there is that need to sometimes monitor what you comment or like.
Also simply because there ARE people out there stalking your profile or every activity on FB for some reasons.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,121,778 times
Reputation: 11862
True, fb doesn't offer much anonymity. Your whole life is on show there. I try to tread lightly on fb, since I've found some people in general get easily offended. I'm hardly even the most insulting of people yet some people get so easily offended.
I enjoy so much the interaction in forums, the learning and the fun. And everyone can finish what they want to say without being interrupted.
Something I have noticed during many years participating in discussion forums is that a lot of people can dish it out, but, it's very different for those same people to have it said to them. They seem to expect others to graciously accept whatever is said and when it doesn't work that way, they get upset. I don't start arguments, but, I might react if someone posts something snotty to me. I realize the written word sometimes comes off more harsh than is intended and I'm not always aware of it until too late.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,121,778 times
Reputation: 11862
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rubi3
I enjoy so much the interaction in forums, the learning and the fun. And everyone can finish what they want to say without being interrupted.
Something I have noticed during many years participating in discussion forums is that a lot of people can dish it out, but, it's very different for those same people to have it said to them. They seem to expect others to graciously accept whatever is said and when it doesn't work that way, they get upset. I don't start arguments, but, I might react if someone posts something snotty to me. I realize the written word sometimes comes off more harsh than is intended and I'm not always aware of it until too late.
I guess that's what emoticons and LOL's are for, but of course you still can't convey tone.
On forums such as this one, where participants use usernames instead of their real names...yes absolutely. Anonymity isn't absolute (a determined enough person with the right skills, smarts or connections could probably figure out your real identity), but it is good enough for most people.
On Facebook...I'd still say yes, but less so...some folks tread more lightly there. Most people on FB use their real names. Also, it is becoming more and more common that employers are monitoring the FB pages of their current employees and candidates under consideration for hire. Of course, many people set their FB privacy settings as appropriate and some exercise caution on who they friend.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
