Anyone know why we're more brutal on the webbernet than in real life?I use this site for 2 reasons...to get advice when wikipedia doesn't work, and to make fun of people...?
1. Lack of real consequences.
You might be banned, but it isn't certain, and I know of very few people who actually get banned. Also, it's in the company's best interest to have you continue to view their site, so they don't want to keep you banned. A temporary ban of an hour or a day is nothing! You can always go create a new account if it bothers you.
Compare this to the chance of being beaten up by someone for your comments. Again, the chance might not be high for that level of comment, but the pain lasts a LOT longer.
2. Empathy is based on visible and audible cues.
You can't see the poor fat kid crying after reading your post, or the way that their voice wavers when they ask a desperate question in an attempt to gain some meager level of self-respect. Without seeing those signs, your empathy isn't triggered. You don't feel like you're picking on someone who already has had enough, so you don't feel bad for doing it.
Empathy is also involved in intimidation and friendship building. You can't see any of the normal cues that would cause you to think that this is a person worthy of befriending or attempting to continue associating with. You can't tell that this person is incredibly confident and strong.
3. These people aren't your friends.
On an anonymous network like this, you have little to no chance of actually connecting with someone and valuing them as a friend, so there is little direct personal value in being polite to them.
4. People are more likely to ask personal, foolish question on an anonymous site.
How many strangers walk up to you on the street and ask ';Am I too fat?'; ';Could I be pregnant?'; The opportunities just aren't there.
5. You can run and hide more easily.
Physical contact means that you and the other person live in the same town, or at east have reason to frequent the same areas. If you're a jerk in real life while buying groceries, you may run into that person again. You'd have to change where you buy groceries or specifically travel to a store far away in order to be a jerk. It's simply easier to be polite than to be a jerk.
On-line, you can hide easily. Many sites have the ability to block other people or ignore them. It's easy to skim past their posts or messages without even reading them.
6. The people who see you insult someone won't be believed by others, and certainly not by anyone you care about.
Sure, sometimes a community gets together and kicks someone out for being a jerk. However, how often do people believe accusations of this kind of behavior on-line? I've recently had difficulty with someone in a fairly tight-knit on-line group of friends, but I haven't even bothered mentioning it to the group at large because there is really no concrete proof that I could present. I take a screenshot, or show a message? He can claim I sent him a private message that caused him to respond that way.
It's more difficult to get away with persistent negative behavior in real life because your friends will catch on and persecute you for it.
That said, I'd be more impressed if you mockingly responded with something more interesting than ';Yes, you're too fat!'; Sure, it takes a moderate amount of effort to get used to it at first, but eventually you'll get used to thinking your insults. Try writing a paragraph about the inherent sexism in uncertainties about size.I use this site for 2 reasons...to get advice when wikipedia doesn't work, and to make fun of people...?
yeahh I think you should grow up, and I'm 14. Haha :)
Because there's no chance for confrontation and retribution. In my book...that's bullying and a sure sign of cowardice.
you mean you don't understand why you're being that way online?
Its because you don't get any repercussion from being dick-ish online. People can't hurt you here. So you do what you want
but in real life, mess with the wrong people and they may get very physical with you, and you're afraid of that. You only dare to be an a$$ when you know the other side cant do anything to you.
In real life, you are afraid of the consequences. you are afraid of what people will do to you.
Because you ain't face to face, so you ';loose the rules';.
As for Wikipedia, not all that info is true, so be careful my evil and nice friend.
:-)
i think cause people are cowards and they know that people on here won't ever know them so they won't have any consequences for what they say.
a hit and run sort of thing
Y Answers was not created for this nonsense..Grow up ! Thank you
reason being, we can't reach out and back hand you and you can be anyone you want with less guilt.
let your conscience be your guide, if you have one
So much of what others have said is right on. I will only add the single word that came to mind when I read your statement:
TERRORIST
One day we'll be hearing about you on TV news, and it will not be pretty.
Hey i have thought the same thing! I'm a chick and I think it's cause we have more time to think of a rude comment. And because we don't have to see the persons reaction.
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