I am continually astounded by the freedom some people seem to feel while hiding behind the safe anonymity of an internet screen name… the freedom to be rude, unkind, even downright cruel to their fellow human beings. I have a difficult time understanding what on earth possesses them to treat others with such disrespect, as if they had forgotten that they were speaking to an actual person, and not just a collection of typed words on a screen.
Then again, perhaps these people are like this in their everyday lives when meeting others face to face?
A frightening prospect indeed…
What do you think?
Please share!
100 Words, 07/31/2008
{ 32 comments… add one }
Ahh… The keyboard warriors.I think people spend so much time behind their electronic devices that they have forgotten how to “properly” interact with a fellow human without adding insult.
Irene Soh recently posted… DBS Marina Regatta 2014 (Post Event)
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 22, 2014
I think you’re right, Irene!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Words: Fate or Freewill?
I can’t imagine how people can do that, either. I always think carefully about what I write online and I’ve never used a screen name. We always need to respect each other, whether in person, on the phone, or in e-mail or on Facebook.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 22, 2014
I’ve used a screen name, but I can’t say I ever wrote anything that I wouldn’t have said to the person face-to-face. At least I hope I didn’t!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Words: Fate or Freewill?
I understand your point but people are rude and mean in real life too and in the virtual space it´s even easier for them because they could say whatever they want hiding behind a fake name or just being anonymous…I think we just have to ignore them, as sad as it sounds
Elena (http://gonewiththebackpack.blogspot.com/ ) recently posted… FOUR COUNTRIES IN 4 DAYS. One thing in common: RAIN
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 22, 2014
Very true!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Words: Fate or Freewill?
I am amazed daily by the rudeness of people who hide under the cloak of anonymity. Really sad.
Lana recently posted… Teens and Cardiac Arrest
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 23, 2014
It really is sad.
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Words: Fate or Freewill?
Twitter: blacktortoise
May 22, 2014
I am amazed at how nasty people can be. It goes beyond cruel and mean to downright threatening and scary.
Adela recently posted… It’s time for Hilda’s Rhubarb Crunch Again
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May 23, 2014
It certainly can. Never read the comments on any online news article!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Words: Fate or Freewill?
Twitter: SunbonSmart
May 22, 2014
Hey there, Laurel! Yes! I am amazed by anonymous people being cruel, but what REALLY amazes me is people being so with their bare face hanging out as their avatar, along with their real name for a user name. Wow! Truly, the truth is stranger than fiction. Always love your 100 Words. Thank you for sharing, Much Love, Fondly, Robin
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 23, 2014
You make a good point. Sad, but true.
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Words: Fate or Freewill?
The bravedo that anonymity indeed gives the internet users is a scary prospect
Meena Menon recently posted… Chinnu….
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 23, 2014
Truly.
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Words: Fate or Freewill?
Twitter: idevtechnolabs
May 23, 2014
Hey,
I am totally amazed daily by the rudeness of people who hide under the cloak of anonymity. This is really sad.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 23, 2014
It really is.
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Words: Fate or Freewill?
Yes, this is astonishing, isn’t it? I have also come across some “professor” types people who can say all kinds of things on the net in discussion groups etc…or abuse other discussants or even take away the content and use it in their papers without ever bothering to get permission from the discussants…some people forget all the manners of good polite conversation/discussion when they come to online forums.
Beloo Mehra recently posted… Solitude
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 23, 2014
Oh, that’s awful! I really don’t understand people sometimes.
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Words: Fate or Freewill?
Twitter: psychbabbler
May 23, 2014
The anonymity gives people the power to say what they think. I’m sure we are all capable of it but most of us have values that tell us otherwise — not to hurt people etc. The ones who don’t have those values, the ones who want to put others down to feel better about themselves — they are the ones who find it easy to write the meanest and most hurtful things. Not too different from face-to-face bullies…only difference is there are more targets online.
Psych Babbler recently posted… Travel Tales: The Sapphire Coast from Merimbula to Bermagui
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 23, 2014
Very true. I certainly know I’ve WANTED to say something nasty online on occasion! But wouldn’t dream of doing so, no matter how upset I felt.
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Words: Fate or Freewill?
Hiding behind a screen name without revealing the actual self is fine along as the person doesn’t use rude language. But I have never use a different name.
Kalpana Solsi recently posted… Waiting for the showers.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 23, 2014
I’ve used a screen name, but it didn’t change how I treated others. At least I hope it didn’t!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Words: Fate or Freewill?
So sad! What a statement on our day and age.
Diane recently posted… Getting Badgered
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 23, 2014
Definitely.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Water
Hi Laurel
That’s a very telling though short description of what happens on this palnet everyday.Inconsiderate behaviour has been around for eons,prevails today,and will continue till humans interpret freedom in distorted colours.
While I am a strong believer of civility and stronlgy espouse kindness,I feel we have to evolve our own mechanisms for comprehending the vagaries of our experiences and staying true to our inner compass.
Here’s what i honestly feel ….
Firstly we suffer from two things the most in life:-
-Other people
-Our memories
And both of these need our constant attention to resolve unconscious baggage.We often are able to cope with trying circumstances.But we are usually at our weakest with challanging relationships and people.
Actually ,our ego comes in the way squarely.And we find ourselves unable to adjust to people ,as we would have done with difficult circumstances.We are unable to be humble.
We fear our humility will be taken advantage of and we do not reconcile easily.We live on borrowed societal beliefs about strength and show of confidence.We confuse humility and reconciliation with weakness.
We do not agree with the fact that true strength is aligning with our peace and calm regardless of outer circumstances.
Thanks
Mona
richmiraclefiles recently posted… Cherish That Present Moment
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May 23, 2014
Lots to think about – thank you for sharing!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Water
Twitter: BatteredHope
May 24, 2014
What I find interesting is that even though I do not know the people that make those rude, nasty or thoughtless comments — they still hurt. I don’t think I can ever be immune or calloused enough to shrug them off. Yet, I see people who can laugh it off and not give it a second thought. Maybe some day…
Great thought-provoking post
Carol @ Battered Hope
Carol Graham recently posted… Wouldn’t You Love To Be A Fly On The Wall?
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May 24, 2014
Carol, I totally hear you. Even when I remind myself to “consider the source” I find it very difficult to brush off those kinds of comments. I need to learn to develop a much thicker skin.
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Water
Twitter: BatteredHope
May 24, 2014
On the other hand……..if we weren’t like that, we would be totally different people. It goes with the territory of being thoughtful, right?
Carol Graham recently posted… Wouldn’t You Love To Be A Fly On The Wall?
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 24, 2014
Yes, you’re right about that!
Laurel Regan recently posted… 100 Words: Live Gently
I have met some people like that online and it was a terrible experience! I hope I wont cross path with them in real life!
Swathi Shenoy recently posted… Magic! – WOW #10
Twitter: alphabetsalad
May 24, 2014
Oh, me too!
Laurel Regan recently posted… Photo Friday: Water
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