Anonymity can turn people nasty

[TravelingGal]

I know there are some on here who don''t believe people would actually be like this - but apparently it does happen.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26837911/

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/24/2008 3:38:53 PM
Author:TravelingGal
I know there are some on here who don''t believe people would actually be like this - but apparently it does happen.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26837911/

Oh I''d believe it. In fact, there are a few on here I''ve wondered about...

 

[iwannaprettyone]

Date: 9/24/2008 3:50:39 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 9/24/2008 3:38:53 PM
Author:TravelingGal
I know there are some on here who don''t believe people would actually be like this - but apparently it does happen.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26837911/

Oh I''d believe it. In fact, there are a few on here I''ve wondered about...

 

[fieryred33143]

I was on theknot.com and there was a woman that was just nasty. I started seeing her profile (no pics just info) and wondered if that was my former neighbor. Then when I heard the details of her wedding from her directly, I knew that was her. Unbelievable.

If I had money to quit my job and just do research all day long, I would research the affects of the internet on the mind. People hide behind their screennames and people take comments off of the internet very seriously even though everyone loves to say that "its just the internet."

Off box.

 

[MonkeyPie]

While I''m not afraid to tell off somebody if they are being stupid to me, I am much more likely to do it from a "faceless" angle too - over the phone, via text, email, whatever. It''s illogical, but it feels more safe, like there will be less retaliation. It''s a Monkey thing?

 

[partgypsy]

My mom, a mild mannered English teacher/grandmother, curses like a sailor when she''s behind the wheel. It''s both shocking and shamefully, a bit entertaining.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Oh, it''s becoming a pretty big deal here on college campuses. There is a website called Juicy Campus, where you can post anything you''d like to anonymously, and then anyone can comment on that post anonymously. So, people are revealing all sorts of nasty things about their enemies, an ex boyfriend, or even their best friend. It''s very ugly and cowardly. I already know about 30 people who have been targeted on there. You can''t defend yourself or anything. There are just no words...

 

[MichelleCarmen]

What a bummer, huh? I''ve read quite a few nasty posts on every website I''ve posted on. Some people are simply cowards who express their opinions behind screens that shield them from "REAL LIFE" where if they had made such comments, they''d risk possibly being punched in the face.

Yikes, I cannot believe I just posted THAT! Nobody knows who I am, however, so I''m okay.

 

[TravelingGal]

I''m actually meaner in PERSON.

 

[qtiekiki]

Thank goodness most of the forums/communities I frequent are generally nice. When there are nasty posts, I always wonder if it''s just online or if that''s how they are in person. But I would never know. I also wonder if our society had just become more rude over the years, and the anonymity just promotes it more. I usually avoid nasty threads and posts, and not feed the fire.

 

[qtiekiki]

Date: 9/24/2008 4:13:13 PM
Author: TravelingGal
I''m actually meaner in PERSON.

I am too.

 

[Linda W]

Date: 9/24/2008 4:13:13 PM
Author: TravelingGal
I''m actually meaner in PERSON.

I highly doubt that T-Gal.

Linda

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 9/24/2008 4:58:21 PM
Author: Linda W

Date: 9/24/2008 4:13:13 PM
Author: TravelingGal
I''m actually meaner in PERSON.

I highly doubt that T-Gal.

Linda

Ha, you''re just someone who is kind enough to believe the best about everyone.

But yeah, I am. Not necessarily meaner, but just as (f not more) blunt as I am on PS. It''s usually tempered with a bit of humor (not too much different from my PS persona, I guess) but it''s still very frank nonetheless.

 

[dragonfly411]

TGal - me too!!!

 

[MoonWater]

I''m basically the same online as off. However, if you''re someone I don''t care for, you may think I''m meaner in real life. If you''re someone I do care for, you probably think I''m nicer in real life. I feel I give people way more benefit of the doubt online because I know confusion can occur with the written word. We''re lacking the facial expressions and tones to go with them.

 

[beau13]

Date: 9/24/2008 3:50:39 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 9/24/2008 3:38:53 PM
Author:TravelingGal
I know there are some on here who don't believe people would actually be like this - but apparently it does happen.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26837911/

Oh I'd believe it. In fact, there are a few on here I've wondered about...

Some people take "posts" and comments a bit tooooooo seriously (psycho-analyzing everything). If someone attacks me online, I have no problem telling them EXACTLY how I feel...and would do the same in person! It's funny how some people (online) leave a bad taste in your mouth, and I can just picture what they look like in real life, and why it is they act the way they do online (insecure, no confidence, lack of self-esteem..sorry now my Psyc. degree is taking over)!

 

[HollyS]

Date: 9/24/2008 5:15:43 PM
Author: MoonWater
I''m basically the same online as off. However, if you''re someone I don''t care for, you may think I''m meaner in real life. If you''re someone I do care for, you probably think I''m nicer in real life. I feel I give people way more benefit of the doubt online because I know confusion can occur with the written word. We''re lacking the facial expressions and tones to go with them.

I think you may have hit on something there . . . we can''t convey our ''tone'' accurately sometimes, or convey the humor we may have about someone''s post and our response. Subtlety and irony, along with mild-mannered sarcasm can be misunderstood. A lot.

But out and out profanity

, degrading or slanderous posts about people

, or screaming over a telephone at some hapless customer service rep somewhere

are just ridiculous behaviors that should appall everyone.

Notice how I didn''t address behind-the-wheel behavior . . . .

 

[purrfectpear]

I''m definitely more frank in person than I am on here. Many times I make a concious effort to tone down what I post here because I''m not opposed to the "spirit" of support here on PS. I admit there have been times I wanted to post what I was really thinking, and I know in real life I would say it

No one has ever punched me in the face yet. If you ask for advice, I think you should get honesty. Most people are good enough at self delusion without encouragement

I''m sure there are some people who are meek in real life that welcome the opportunity to express themselves on the net. It lets their alterego have a say. Personally I think they should learn to get it out face to face, but they are what they are.

 

[VegasAngel]

I''m the same online as I am in IRL.

 

[beau13]

Date: 9/24/2008 5:46:14 PM
Author: purrfectpear
I''m definitely more frank in person than I am on here. Many times I make a concious effort to tone down what I post here because I''m not opposed to the ''spirit'' of support here on PS. I admit there have been times I wanted to post what I was really thinking, and I know in real life I would say it

No one has ever punched me in the face yet. If you ask for advice, I think you should get honesty. Most people are good enough at self delusion without encouragement

I''m sure there are some people who are meek in real life that welcome the opportunity to express themselves on the net. It lets their alterego have a say. Personally I think they should learn to get it out face to face, but they are what they are.

Ohhh..you and I would get along JUST perfectly in the real world Purrfectpear!

 

[FrekeChild]

I''m nicer online.

 

[princesss]

Date: 9/24/2008 6:31:35 PM
Author: FrekeChild
I''m nicer online.

Me too.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 9/24/2008 4:58:21 PM
Author: Linda W

Date: 9/24/2008 4:13:13 PM
Author: TravelingGal
I''m actually meaner in PERSON.

I highly doubt that T-Gal.

Linda

You shouldn''t....she bites!!!

 

[Hera]

I think I''m more direct online. I''m usually very conscious of whom I''m speaking to in person. I will try to be more gentle if they are a more sensitive person etc. Online, though, the dynamic is different so I usually say what I''m thinking and hope that the person I''m speaking with understands that I am being direct and honest.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

The website I mentioned, Juicy Campus, is beyond anything I''ve ever seen on the knot or any other website. It is completely, totally, 100% anonymous and there are no moderators or administrators. There are horrible topics that I wouldn''t dare even say on here. A couple of girls in my sorority house are on suicide watch because of the things said about them on this website.

I just don''t understand the need to talk about people like that. If I have a problem with someone I''ll air it out with them and be honest. But, apparently, there are plenty of people with unresolved issues being extremely catty and cowardly there. It makes me sick.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I think I am probably nicer online too or at least more polite (in most threads). There are times I want to say something but don''t (b/c often times the OP doesn''t want to hear the truth). There are certain people''s threads I just ignore b/c I simply don''t like them.

But the threads I frequent regularly (Like the mommy thread) I think I am the same online as in person. Does that make sense?

 

[Linda W]

Date: 9/24/2008 10:06:29 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
I think I am probably nicer online too or at least more polite (in most threads). There are times I want to say something but don''t (b/c often times the OP doesn''t want to hear the truth). There are certain people''s threads I just ignore b/c I simply don''t like them.

But the threads I frequent regularly (Like the mommy thread) I think I am the same online as in person. Does that make sense?

Yes it does Tacori, you are always a sweetheart.


Linda

 

[HollyS]

Date: 9/24/2008 10:06:29 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
I think I am probably nicer online too or at least more polite (in most threads). There are times I want to say something but don''t (b/c often times the OP doesn''t want to hear the truth). There are certain people''s threads I just ignore b/c I simply don''t like them.

But the threads I frequent regularly (Like the mommy thread) I think I am the same online as in person. Does that make sense?

You, Skippy, and SDL are the sweetest people anywhere! We are lucky to have the three of you with us here on PS.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 9/24/2008 10:34:02 PM
Author: HollyS

Date: 9/24/2008 10:06:29 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

I think I am probably nicer online too or at least more polite (in most threads). There are times I want to say something but don''t (b/c often times the OP doesn''t want to hear the truth). There are certain people''s threads I just ignore b/c I simply don''t like them.

But the threads I frequent regularly (Like the mommy thread) I think I am the same online as in person. Does that make sense?

You, Skippy, and SDL are the sweetest people anywhere! We are lucky to have the three of you with us here on PS.

Even though I said I am meaner in person?!? Haha!

I think it helps I am at a good place in my life. Thanks Linda and Holly. Linda you are always so kind and Holly I love your honesty (and you are a Tacori lover!)

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 9/24/2008 9:57:06 PM
Author: OUpeargirl
The website I mentioned, Juicy Campus, is beyond anything I''ve ever seen on the knot or any other website. It is completely, totally, 100% anonymous and there are no moderators or administrators. There are horrible topics that I wouldn''t dare even say on here. A couple of girls in my sorority house are on suicide watch because of the things said about them on this website.


I just don''t understand the need to talk about people like that. If I have a problem with someone I''ll air it out with them and be honest. But, apparently, there are plenty of people with unresolved issues being extremely catty and cowardly there. It makes me sick.

I had to go find this site after reading your posts, and omg. Wow. But HAHAHA too.
Yes, I am a terrible person but...LOL.