Why is it about the Internet that causes normal people to become mean?

Answer 1

The fact that you're typing to a screen name instead of speaking face to face to an individual. There's a lack of consquences for bad behavior online vise the real world.

Answer 2

The perceived anonymity does it. You're not really being mean to a person's face, so you feel enabled to let loose all the aggravation you've had that day and vent it on some poor Internet user who probably doesn't deserve it (and if the user really *is* a total waste of protoplasm, then it's even *more* tempting).

It's not limited to the Internet - sales people and cashiers at fast-food places get it all the time too.. Surly irrational customers...

Answer 3

I'll second what's been said so far, anonymity and lack of real consequences for one's words don't encourage civility.

And a few trolls and flamers are just onery thugs who like to beat people up with words, to take out their frustrations. There's nothing worthwhile in trying to understand these kinds of abusers. They're jerks, period.

What I find interesting is that not everyone acts like children on the Net. Some manage to keep their cool and get business done. Many, however, don't have this attitude, and seem to go through a phase of cheerful online abuse and trash-talking.

My theory on this is that the Internet is like a magnifying glass into the normally-hidden motivations of people.

It's not uncommon for folks get through life by imitating what everyone else seems to expect of them. Being as a result so impovershed in spirit, they are constantly motivated to prove to themselves that they are more than they really know themselves to be.

So they're always doing outlandish and hurtful things to make themselves feel that way... like, on the Web, identifying themselves with some intransigent political / technological etc position and then "beating folks up" who don't agree.

Been there, done that, got old. Its far better in the long run to leave "oneself out of one's problems" and take care of business. But that's a separate topic.

Answer 4

Yeah, you can hide behind a fake identity and not be touched from behind your computer screen. Me personally, I still dread the times I get a hateful email...I'll avoid it like the plague until I get the nerve up to read it...that's why I try to only give silly answers with people I'm familiar with and not say something to hurt anyone's feelings. But even I have my moments that I go off on someone...lol...because like I said, you can't get hurt when they don't know where to find you.

Answer 5

i guess it takes away playing ball in the park and the usuall things replaced with knoledge not we always needing to know and rude remarks we learn.

also you can stay stuff on the internet and nobody will know it is you saying it but then you try to express your feelings in real life and ergret saying what you said so openly!

Answer 6

You really have no why of knowing if they are normal. They might really be mean a this is the best place to be themselves

Answer 7

You can say whatever you want and hide behind your fake screen name knowing that no one will ever be knocking at your door to beat you up. Is it messed up that we're like this? Yes. But it's human nature to be meaner under anonymous circumstances.

Answer 8

Anonymity; and frustration with kids asking "wats 1+1".

Answer 9

OH Alot of reasons..See they don't have to be responisble for their actions.They can be mean and it makes them feel big.Most likely they have never felt big in their life due to everyone stepping on them. People who seem to have to be mean are lacking something in there life..I feel sorry for them and ignore them.

Answer 10

Anonymity
Being beyond being able to be held responsible