Why are so many of the people on here such jerks?

Question

I have always said if you can't say anything nice keep your mouth shut. Unfortunately, it seems that many people on here did not receive the same type of upbringing. Perhaps they were raised by junkies or wolves, I don't know and don't really care. All I do know is that many answers are offensive and uncalled for and downright abusive.

I come on here to gather information from the "regular people." It is my way of hearing what the common folk are thinking, doing and saying. quite often it seems that the common folk are only looking to be insulting and offensive.

True, I have heard from some interesting and positive people, but there have been a good deal of answers on here that come from assinine morons.

Have you had similar experiences? (only intelligent, well thought, non-offensive responses, please)

Wow. I have gotten some really insightful answers and some idioic ones.

To those of you who answered with insight and forethought, I thank you. I do agree with many of you. I was just asking out of curiosity because I have read many answers to many questions, not just mine, and have seen deplorable manners.

Then again, I am seeing those same deplorable manners even in this post. I truly pity those who feel that they have to insult me and be rude to me. It does lead me to wonder if it isn't due to an inferiority complex? I believe one of you guys touched on that theory.

To the rude children, I am sorry you feel so badly about your life that you feel you must strike out at others. But that is your problem, not mine. And your problem won't change until YOU change it.

To the folks who answered with true insight and without being rude and insulting, I appreciate your maturity and courtesy. You are definitely an asset to this site.
Thank you.

One more thought...
I am well aware of FREEDOM OF SPEECH although I feel fairly certain that the person who posted that little rant has no clue what it means or where to find it, but there was no mention of censorship, only acting with a little courtesy and not like a spoiled child.

Additionally, could someone please tell me when asking a general question became "whining?"

It has been asked where do I stand on this.

I read the questions and answers because it give me some insight into what people are thinking and at what level they are thinking.

It is a pretty good sociological experiment in human behavior. I find it interesting that some took the jerk reference personally and answered as if I had called them jerks while others gave insightful responses and their own thoughts on the issue. Still others gave immature, insulting answers.

Hmmm, interesting mix.

I have received some excellent, insightful answers here. There is no way I can choose just one answer as best!

Some of you guys are really great and intelligent.

Oh, and I totally agree that this site should be moderated.

Answer 1

I know exactly what you mean. I can't stand it when I see someone ask a question and a bunch of the answers say something like "that's stupid, why do you care?"!! That is so rude, it's like just because you don't agree doesn't mean you need to post a rude answer. I also can't stand it when someone posts an answer like, "I don't know, sorry." If you don't know, then why did you post??

I've noticed the quality of answers depends on the category as well.

Answer 2

Yes! Actually just today a guy "answered" my question with another question, inquiring WHY I asked it and that I shouldn't be trying to gain knowledge thru yahoo answers for my particular question. The thing is, he DOES NOT know WHY I'm asking the question- doesn't know my intent.....and I didn't ask his opinion as to the topic,....he didn't have to answer. You know what I mean? So then he got defensive because I called him on it, and we've been going back and forth 1/2 the day. All I wanted was the general knowledge from people who would know the topic at hand. Not harrassment for the reason I asked it. It is NONE of his business. That is the only major drawback to this site. Originally I came on here with very valid questions mostly regarding chemistry and nursing stuff, since that is my school major...i got a lot of helpful answers, but there's always a bad seed somewhere.....good luck in whatever you do.

Answer 3

Its within the Guy Handbook, rule quantity 6. Always be a jerk. Seriously, now not all men are jerks. But I will agree that the majority are jerks. I do not suppose I am, a minimum of commonly. I type of uncover it difficult to suppose that ALL the men you return into touch with deal with you the way in which you describe. You typically simply detect them extra on account that they're extra "on your face" than the man or men that are not jerks. Ignore the jerks and begin paying awareness to the men that are not doing the cat calls and whistles, and more than a few feedback. That is in which you're going to uncover the man that respects you for who're and now not what you seem like.

Answer 4

The Internet is a perfect breeding grounds for those with a Napoleonic complex or other personality disorder. This isn't to pass judgment on these folks, but just to point out that the "anonymity" of the information superhighway leads some folks to believe that they are larger than life. For example, a woman can be 4'11 in "real life" but she can be six foot tall online. A heterosexual man can be a lesbian.

And those who feel insecure about themselves can be a bully in an arena in which they can feel secure. They can push back, they can insult, they can shore up their egos to make themselves look better.

Is it right? Probably not. Is it human instinct? Most likely.

Answer 5

I have found since I have been using this site that there are some answers that do not merit reading. I choose to ignore them as I would in life choose to ignore people who are abusive and stupid. As for Blue's reference to this site being used for educational purposes - I'm afraid I AM being educated by this site - particularly about American views on many different things and I find it interesting. However, I will not be offended by the fact that I may be considered a jerk. I thought this was a site for swopping of information not launching personal abuse at users. So where does the writer of the question stand?

Answer 6

I've had the exact same experience, and I've actually learned from it.

It didn't occur to me until I asked a question similar to yours that the responses you get are as diverse as the people you are asking.

One of the great things about this forum is that you are literally asking the world (or the world that uses yahoo and speaks english anyway) for an answer.

You may get sarcasm, you may get wisdom, you may get people that are just plain rude. But if you look at the answers, they all have a meaning. Try to have an open mind.

Answer 7

I'm with you, fotojunkie. I enjoy taking a few minutes a day and looking around. But THIS SITE NEEDS MODERATORS...and I would take on the job myself.

I asked a serious question in the Spirituality forum a few days ago and got ridiculed up one wall and down the other for my beliefs. I wasn't trying to shove my beliefs down anyone's throat, I just wanted intelligent answers. 18 of the 20 answers I received were from immature children.

The idea of gaining points makes no sense to me as there are no rewards for the points.

I am eager to see if Yahoo takes care of this situation by hiring PAID moderators or if Yahoo is only interested in attracting as many warm bodies as possible in order to gain advertising dollars.

Good question. And it shows how many evil and childish people there are out there.

Answer 8

I think you and the oakster hit the nail right on the head, they were raised by wolves. I know, I've noticed the same thing. People are downright rude and offensive. I think it's just people who are unhappy with their own lives, and in a sick way, it makes them feel better to piss other people off, so that they are unhappy too. You know those types, can't be miserable alone, have to drag someone along with them. Try not to let it bother you so much. They don't know you, don't let the things they say get to you. Think of it as a cross-section of society, except, due to the nature of the game, multiply the ratio of insulting people times infinity.... :-P Pfffft.
Wish one "thank you" "sorry" or "feel better" could help, but I think you have it under control: you know it's not you, it's them.

Answer 9

The Internet is not really moderated. Maybe someday it will be.

As for people who are jerks, they are jerks whether they are on here or not. But it's easier to do it on here b/c they are "anonymous."

Yes, I've had such experiences. Who hasn't? But one has to learn two simples rules--a) one cannot control the thoughts and actions of others, and b) one cannot take anything seriously that is said/done by somebody on the Internet. This includes forums, chat rooms and the like.

Bottom line--there are some real crazies out there and if you let them drive you crazy also, then they have accomplished their purpose. But in reality, you have let yourself be hurt by it. Let it go and just ignore such people b/c they aren't worth your time.

Answer 10

I often have wondered where some of the responders get the nerve to 'answer' some questions; particularly ones that require a little research, or thought-out responses. Not only that, some don't seem to realize that their answers are totally incorrect. Having said that, what really irks me are the people who respond with 'i dunno' or 'who cares', just to get points! It would be great if Yahoo! Answers had a system that recognized a flippant, offensive or really asinine answer, or perhaps leave it up to the 'questioner' to be able to dismiss or take away the answer's points...that might make the offender's stop with stupid responses...just a thought.