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This is not specific to C-D, but for all message boards in general where there is some level of anonymity.
IRL, people generally seem pleasant, kind, helpful, etc. to one another. On anonymous message boards, I seem to see the opposite at times. A fair amount of people are vindictive, hurtful, nasty, etc., to one another. IRL, we tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. On message boards, we're always skeptical and critical of the person who presents an issue.
Do you think that this is the real person, and that the kind, hospitable person we see IRL is a public persona? Or do you think there is something about anonymous forums that brings this vitriol to light and encourages people to treat each other differently than they would IRL?
hate to say it but I think anonymity opens the door to the real person. Granted we all have off days, and sometimes the written word sounds harsher than intended.
It's a real problem and I think it has everything to do with the anonymity factor more than anything else. Everyone fantasizes at some point that they are someone else and like PAhippo said it opens the door to the real person who has always wanted to say these things to certain people and just couldn't do it IRL. But then again, there are people here from all over the world and there is bound to be some clashing of minds and opinions, that's for sure.
I've learned over the years to stay out of forums that turn me into a sarcastic and rude monster.
I'm glad the Ignore feature is there and I suggest all good people on this board use it.
I saddens me how much my list has grown over time. It got to the point where I refuse to post on certain City-Data forum sections anymore in order to cut down on the times I have to see certain members names appear. These members, who IMO are the some of the "worst" this board has to offer, give me bad feeling.
But I don't have to read what they have to say anymore. If they are quoted I try my best to just ignore.
Thank goodness there are plenty of good posters and people here to keep my interest alive.
This is not specific to C-D, but for all message boards in general where there is some level of anonymity.
IRL, people generally seem pleasant, kind, helpful, etc. to one another. On anonymous message boards, I seem to see the opposite at times. A fair amount of people are vindictive, hurtful, nasty, etc., to one another. IRL, we tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. On message boards, we're always skeptical and critical of the person who presents an issue.
Do you think that this is the real person, and that the kind, hospitable person we see IRL is a public persona? Or do you think there is something about anonymous forums that brings this vitriol to light and encourages people to treat each other differently than they would IRL?
I'm curious about what your thoughts are on this.
Some of what is considered abrasive by others when reading it is not abrasive in real life because of the tone and environment when the same words are used. When one is reading the same words as spoken they dynamic is different.
I am often accused of being abrasive and judgemental with no compassion. The truth is I am very direct, straight forward and to the point everywhere so when reading what I have written it just sounds different than it would if I was actually using my voice to talk to you.
Then there are those posts that are just mean which is everywhere not just here.
This is not specific to C-D, but for all message boards in general where there is some level of anonymity.
IRL, people generally seem pleasant, kind, helpful, etc. to one another. On anonymous message boards, I seem to see the opposite at times. A fair amount of people are vindictive, hurtful, nasty, etc., to one another. IRL, we tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. On message boards, we're always skeptical and critical of the person who presents an issue.
Do you think that this is the real person, and that the kind, hospitable person we see IRL is a public persona? Or do you think there is something about anonymous forums that brings this vitriol to light and encourages people to treateach other differently than they would IRL?
I'm curious about what your thoughts are on this.
I'm going to disagree because in my experience that's how there are IRL. Those members I have on Ignore, plus many others that post on these boards, I would not want to have any contact with whatsoever.
I've met several message board posters through the 15 years I have been posting and I find them to be pretty much the same IRL as they are behind the name they are posting under.
I have never had an issue when meeting anyone at these meetings/gatherings but I was glad certain posters were not interested in any face to face meetings.
That told me a lot right there.
Or do you think there is something about anonymous forums that brings this vitriol to light and encourages people to treat each other differently than they would IRL?
This is not specific to C-D, but for all message boards in general where there is some level of anonymity.
IRL, people generally seem pleasant, kind, helpful, etc. to one another. On anonymous message boards, I seem to see the opposite at times. A fair amount of people are vindictive, hurtful, nasty, etc., to one another. IRL, we tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. On message boards, we're always skeptical and critical of the person who presents an issue.
Do you think that this is the real person, and that the kind, hospitable person we see IRL is a public persona? Or do you think there is something about anonymous forums that brings this vitriol to light and encourages people to treat each other differently than they would IRL?
I'm curious about what your thoughts are on this.
Character is what you do when no one is watching. Boards like this are like no one is watching because no one knows who we are. I think you see the true person come out.
Something I've noticed is that when I walk into my school building kids are more likely to hold the door for me (I bring a pile of work home and back to work the next day) IF A) the principal or someone higher up is around or B) their parents haven't pulled away from the building yet. I've started really paying attention to when kids just ignore that I'm struggling with the stuff I carry and when they help. Now some kids help all the time. It's just their nature but others it's very situational. I think boards are like that. I know I'm more likely to say what I'm thinking here than I would be IRL. IRL I'm worried about what others will think. I often wonder if other people think the things I do but I'm not brave enough to ask IRL.
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