Internet forums/communities

[Jazzy]

Why do some Internet forums/communities have such terrible/rude people on them?

 

[Lamb]

I'm finding more and more that people will act out because they feel they can remain anonymous. They also don't receive consequences for their actions often enough and that gives them a sort of power.

 

[tango]

It's easy to be brave from behind the facade of a mostly anonymous internet handle.

(Says he, from behind the facade of a mostly anonymous internet handle...)


In fairness, when all that exists is words without any body language, tonal inflexions, facial expressions etc sometimes rudeness can be inferred even if none was intended.

 

[Lees]

Why do some Internet forums/communities have such terrible/rude people on them?

It's my opinion that it's what is being discussed that will produce a rude behaviour.

Most forums will have a religious and political section. Once you get into what people 'believe' as true, and the 'only right way to rule', there will be heated debate and rudeness will naturally follow. And the greater the religious and political divide, which is great today, the greater the rudeness.

I just finished a book, 'The Tailor King' by Anthony Arthur. It is about the rise and fall of the anabaptist kingdom in Munster Germany in the 1600's. If you want to see some 'Christian rudeness' I recommend this book.

Lees

 

[MoreCoffee]

I'm finding more and more that people will act out because they feel they can remain anonymous. They also don't receive consequences for their actions often enough and that gives them a sort of power.

Some are rude by nature even if they are not anonymous.

 

[Lamb]

Some are rude by nature even if they are not anonymous.

That's just their normal character I guess.

 

[tango]

I suspect to a large extent the problem is when people are taught what to think rather than how to think.

When people are taught how to think it's easier for them to process the concept of taking the same inputs and drawing a different conclusion, and thereby having at least some respect for people who want to solve the same problem but in a different way. When people are taught what to think there's little to process other than "you don't think the right thing, therefore you are wrong" and from there it's a small step to "you are wrong, you clearly have no interest in being right, therefore you must be a (derogatory term)"

If you can't construct a reasonable explanation for why you believe what you believe then anyone who can present a reasonable explanation that counters your belief becomes impossible to refute. So the person has to either re-examine what they believe (which can be uncomfortable), or write off the other as being "one of those (whatever group)".

 

[Ammi]

Why? Because they are tolerated. I think some get their sense of self-worth out of besting someone in an argument or take pleasure in causing discomfort in another. Or it improves their social standing. These people have learned to function this way within the forum rules.
Then there's abusive moderators. I just won't expose myself to bad behavior anymore.