topic Re: Why People Are Rude Online in Community Spirit

Why People Are Rude Online

icyfroth — Sat, 02 May 2015 21:45:09 GMT

IF you’ve ever ventured into the comments section of a news story online you’ll notice a fairly even split of considered responses and outright hatred. There is rarely an exception.

You might’ve heard the phrase “keyboard warriors”— a fitting description for those fighting a rightous cause hunched over their qwerty.

But have you ever stopped to consider why people feel invincinble online? Or why they get so angry? A study in the US helps explain half of it.

Arthur Santana, a communications professor at the University of Houston, analysed hundreds of comments on stories from the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Houston Chronicle and USA Today.

His findings, published in the New Yorker, revealed a “perceptible difference” in the nature of comments from users who revealed their identity and those who posted anonymously.

Of the hundreds of comments, 53 per cent of anonymous commenters were uncivil, as opposed to only 29 per cent of non-anonymous commenters. Their behaviour is rooted in three words: Online. Disinhibition. Effect.

Entire Article Here

"fighting a rightous cause hunched over their qwerty." I guess that makes me a "keyboard warrior" lol. I try to be civil, though.

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

azureline** — Sat, 02 May 2015 21:59:23 GMT

I think it's just their real nature.

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

rainpattern — Sat, 02 May 2015 22:45:48 GMT

Well I guess in general society they're contained/restrained by standards of conduct/expression etc (LOL some) but the perceived "anonimity" of a keyboard brings out their worst side.

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

lurker172602 — Sat, 02 May 2015 23:04:53 GMT

I quite often have conversations with myself that go along the lines of: "Should I say/type that?", "No, it's not polite" , "But no one knows who I am" , "That doesn't matter, would you say it to someone in person?" , "No" , "Well just let it go then "

Works for me 😇😀

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

bright.ton42 — Sun, 03 May 2015 01:41:01 GMT

I think people can become passionate about their beliefs and it can come across as rudeness. Same in real life.

Others are just plain rude.

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

imastawka — Sun, 03 May 2015 01:45:24 GMT

I'm a lot more rude and abrupt in real life lol

That's why all my friends live in here

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

goldenjet16 — Sun, 03 May 2015 01:49:40 GMT

Good to know I'm one of your friends.......

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

cherry*135 — Sun, 03 May 2015 03:28:49 GMT

I have rude, interpersonal comments directed at me, from the op of this thread! Most recent ones yesterday!

I am not the only one they are directed at either.

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

j*oono — Sun, 03 May 2015 03:41:55 GMT

Yes but this is a baiting thread Am and you just swallowed the hook.

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

the_great_she_elephant — Sun, 03 May 2015 03:45:01 GMT

I think it's a variation on Godwin's Theory. when someone resorts to personal abuse and name-calling, it's a sign they've lost the argument.

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

cherry*135 — Sun, 03 May 2015 03:46:43 GMT

and you just swallowed the hook

Like a catfish?

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

cherry*135 — Sun, 03 May 2015 03:47:02 GMT

@the_great_she_elephant wrote:
I think it's a variation on Godwin's Theory. when someone resorts to personal abuse and name-calling, it's a sign they've lost the argument.

Certainly is.

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

*pepe — Sun, 03 May 2015 03:49:11 GMT

@am*3 wrote:
and you just swallowed the hook

Like a catfish?

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

debra9275 — Sun, 03 May 2015 04:07:15 GMT

@bright.ton42 wrote:
I think people can become passionate about their beliefs and it can come across as rudeness. Same in real life.

Others are just plain rude.

I really believe that people can be passionate in their beliefs without having to resort to rudeness.

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

j*oono — Sun, 03 May 2015 04:11:22 GMT

You are a perfect example of that Deb. I'm in awe sometimes at the way you can shrug of others nastiness.

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

debra9275 — Sun, 03 May 2015 04:14:24 GMT

thanks Joono, having a sense of humour sure helps

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

imastawka — Sun, 03 May 2015 04:58:14 GMT

Awww, now ya see, I can't do that.

I bang away furiously at the keyboard, yelling at the monitor and then......

hit 'cancel'

Then I feel better - try doing that in real life

Re: Why People Are Rude Online

bright.ton42 — Sun, 03 May 2015 05:26:50 GMT

@debra9275 wrote:
@bright.ton42 wrote:
I think people can become passionate about their beliefs and it can come across as rudeness. Same in real life.

Others are just plain rude.

I really believe that people can be passionate in their beliefs without having to resort to rudeness.

Yes good point, one would hope so.