I’ve been thinking about this for some time actually, but I never made a journal about it. Now I’d like your thoughts on the matter.
To me, it seems that, since communication methods have become far easier, people have become judgemental. What do I mean by that? Let’s take the example of the Internet. How easier it is, nowadays, to give your opinion on a subject and have other people respond to you. It’s fast, it’s easy, but most of all, you can act the way you want because nobody knows who you are behind the computer screen. I can come up to you and call you a fucking whore and that I wish your mother gets AIDS, probably hurting you in the process, but why should I care? I don’t know you - I’ll never SEE your expression. You’ll respond, but do I need to care about your caps and misspelling because you’re so hurt by my comment that you can’t think properly? Not really.
A couple of months ago, a headline made international news: a woman who was in a subway in Europe (I think) accidently let her baby's carriage slip. The carriage fell on the tracks and was hit by the upcoming train. Luckily, the carriage saved the baby and the baby only came out with minor injuries such as bruises. In the video, you clearly see the distraught mother trying to catch the carriage, and then go in complete shock, with her hand sticking out when the train hit the carriage. It was a very heart wrenching video. Now it COULD be just me, but 20 years ago, if that headline had made the news, I know a lot of people who would have said “Thank god the baby was okay!” and “that poor mother! I wouldn’t have wanted to be in her place!”
But this isn’t 1990. This is 2010. Websites also spoke of the incident, but what you read in the responses weren’t compassion for the poor mother, or relief that the baby was okay. Instead, I read this disgusting mish-mash of hateful comments toward the mother. How bad of a mother she clearly was; how she left the carriage unattended; how she should not be allowed to keep the baby, etc… None of these people ever stopped to think that this was nothing but an accident. Accidents happen everyday and while they CAN be prevented, accidents are usually just that: accidents. They happen spontaneously, sometimes no matter how careful you are. Nobody stopped to think that maybe she HAD put the safety breaks on the carriage, but they failed. Nobody stopped to think that she couldn’t have guessed that looking for her ticket in her purse for three seconds could result in such a disaster. It’s not like she was a couple of inches from the track. But people on the internet, those people generally commenting on the incident, immediately pointed the finger at that awful mother without second thought. Why? Perhaps it made THEM feel better about themselves. It made them feel better to say “I’d NEVER be that careless!” But maybe, two, three, four days, weeks, months before, SHE saw a headline where some kid fell off a balcony because he had been left unattended. Perhaps SHE went on the internet and raged at how bad a mother that child’s mother had been with no further information on the incident, and how she’s NEVER be this careless herself. Well, oops?
See my point?
People have become so judgemental; putting everyone down to make themselves feel better. While it’s a habit that has been going on since the beginning of mankind, it’s far worst nowadays because it’s so easy to hide behind a computer screen to insult and put down others. Nobody really knows who you are after all. My name isn’t really Maria – some of you know that. Your name is probably not Momobear3567 either. It’s too easy to hurt others and then just wash your hands from any guilt because you’ll never see that person on the other side of the screen look hurt or cry.
I’m just curious to see your point on this.
Luv,
Maria
P.S. I didn't really follow the train story that much further after. Maybe she WAS accused of negligence, but know that I only used that example to prove my point.
`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
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It is the tale of a troll.
Long ago, once the very First Public Post on the Internet has been made, people discovered "comments". In those comments, they had the power to say anything they desired, often under the veil of anonymity.
That veil can be a dangerous weapon.
For as soon as the First Post was made, as soon as this veil of anonymity has been draped over their minds, the world around them has changed. There were few rules and restrictions. They did not have to be socially conscious, there was no need to keep up a reputation. And people started to take pleasure in their fellows' suffering. They left harmful and purposely provocative comments as to anger the author and co-posters. That was their way of acquiring fun.
And thus, the Troll is born.
It's true, some people are just plain "trolls" as you said. It's just sad because it's SO very easy to hide behind the computer screen thinking you won't hurt someone on the other side of said screen. Honestly, I'll always say on the internet what I would tell someone face to face.
I know I certainly tend to be braver online as opposed to when I'm face to face with someone, but I certainly make sure to remain civil and not to lash out at random people just because I'm in the heat of the moment or whatever.
I don't think the internet has made people judgmental. I think people have always been this way, just most people tend to keep it inside during a face to face conversation. The internet IS however, an outlet for these people, letting them vent out their negative emotions and thoughts at others, while allowing them to hide behind a computer screen and online nickname so that they don't have to face the repercussions that they'd be afraid of dealing with an actual face to face encounter. Like you said, no one will ever see your real face or know who you really are. I find it's the coward's way of going about things. When I see people being jerks online, I mostly feel sorry for them, thinking that, in real life, they must be terribly insecure and miserable to have to go online and try to put everyone down just so that they can feel better about themselves. It's a sad way to live, really.
See, that's the difference between a level headed individual and a lot of people on the internet. Being braver is one thing, but as you said, you remain civil and polite in the same way you would with someone face to face.
People have always made people judgemental, but the internet became of vessel for many to just be complete assholes to others, bringing others down, maybe because in real life they don't feel confident enough. As you said, these people are often very insecure and miserable and in all my years as forum admin and moderator, I've seen many of these "trolls" suddenly admit how they get bullied in real life. I was bullied a lot when I was a kid, but I never went online (when there was Internet lol ) to bash someone because I was frustrated.
I end up avoiding a lot of flame wars that way. lol.
But yeah, it IS very easy to act like assholes on the internet. It's not like many people know you after all. Still, I do wish more people would take your example and think before pressing "send".
I think a lot of peopel don't take that moment to think about it before they hit the send button though. they just churn out every emotional thought and word and then post it wihtout thinking what the consequences might be and how others might react. The internet has made it so easy for peopel to do that now. I'm sure than 20 years ago peopel woudl have read about that woman and thought thsoe nasty things or said them to each other but now the internet opens this door to a whole other world in which you can post them for all to see, and not only that, but discover that there are other people that AGREE with you.
I think that's the rub right there. The internet allows us to go online and find peopel that share the same ideas, thoughts or beliefs as us but the dnager is that people dont' have to feel the need to be as inhibitted. Rules of good manners can be thrown out after all, just as you said, most peopel will never meet the people they insult on the web let alone see the expresion on their faces when they read the hateful comments thrown at them. It's sad really.
I hate seeing people attack other people, or gather a group of freinds to troll others, sometimes over small things...I think you're absoultely right. It's just a shame we can't change things so that more peopel will take that moment to pause and reconsider before they hit the send button. Sometimes it;s enough to just get the words out. Just because it's been written does't mean that others have to read it. Does anyone remember the old fashioned diary?
The era of communication we're into now has a good and a bad side, of course. Meeting new, great people is the good side, and then there's this backdoor where people think they can say whatever they want because the screen is hiding their face. The example I gave was very sad, but people will bash each other over the smallest, stupidest things. Things that are so irrelevant you'd think they'd know better. Say I like X-Men and you like Spiderman, I'll call you a retard for that. Why? Just because you don't like what I like. If we met face to face, I probably would hold back, not let my emotions take the best of me, and move on (or ask why you prefer X-Men instead of Spiderman).
Haha, wow... I used to have a diary XD I still have it I think. Sadly, many kids these days don't even know how to hold a pencil anymore. I know college students who can't bare the thought of having to manually write their notes. They NEED a laptop, otherwise they're at a complete loss. When have we become so dependant? Ah! Hopefully this big computer/internet hype will gradually fade... Although I highly doubt it *sighs*
It is great to meet new people, those who share the same likes and interests and people who might introduce me to new interests. It's exciting to talk to people from half way across the world and that's what I love about this era of communication. I hate seeing the drama that also goes on though. As you've said, wars develop over silly things like...shipping on cartoons or in books or what all else. The internet seems to have become as clique-y as high school. I don't see the point of going to war over wheather you and your friends are Twilight fans or not...or over which ship you prefer in whatever popular anime or cartoon you like but it happens and it all just seems so silly and pointless. xD I wish that these peopel coudl sit back and think about what it woudl look like in real life (but hey maybe they are like this in RL XD). i bet many wouldn't act that way off the internet. As you said, if I meet someone that doesn't like the same thing as me, I might try to find out why that might be and maybe try to find something about it they might like but wheather I'm friends with them or not woudl probably not hinge on that. On the internet though with so many clubs and groups and what all else surrounding various fandoms and other areas of interest it is so easy to be sucked into that mentality, especially for younger people. Perhaps I don't find myself sucked in to that sort of thing quite so much because I'm no longer in that age group. *shrug* XD
I had diaries when I was younger but I've always been crap at writing down my thoughts. it's easier for me to write a story. I don't blog, or do so very rarely and mostly use my DA journal to let those who watch me know what's going on or the like. I usually only write my thoughts when I have somethign to share with people or if I need to get something out which I usually dont' keep.
i actually only recently started doing my writing on my comp. for a long time I used to write eveything out long hand and then type it up later. But when I did NaNoWriMo I found I coudnt' churn out the same numnber of words and as fast writing long hand as I could on my comp. When it comes to taking notes though I prefer to do it by hand. Wow...I miss school. XD Well...university anyway.
I too hope that in time the current generation will discover that real life and direct contact is in many ways better than the internet. The internet creates so many great ways to keep in touch with peopel but it's so easy to cacoon and turn to the internet than real people. it is most certainly easier to meet people online than in real life. Ah well...I suppose all we can do is wait and see.