Political correctness does not exist online?

Question

I would like to ask people to what extent they would agree with this statement:

"The internet is a place where I can express political views MORE freely than in my day-to-day life"

Could you please say what country you are from, gender and why you agree or disagree.

I am a psych student and am just trying to find a suitable topic area for study. Thanks.

Answer 1

Female, Australia
agree. take note of the MORE in the question though, people will still get hackles up and shout you down, trying to intimidate (as much as possible online anyway). But you pick your arenas. main positive - in many countries you would be shot for what we post every day. Here you can't even touch my silly avatar (which i can't get to work anyway).

Answer 2

USA, female.
I agree with these opinion because its true, for the most part. The internet, through email, messenger, yahoo, etc is where nonuse of political-correctness is not as much frowned on as it is in say, schools, public places, etc. It is, mostly, the uncharted territory of political correctness. I feel this is a good break from being afraid all the time of being frowned upon for saying something wrong. I am a high school student, I am kind in nature, but I often find having to think about every little thing I'm going to say without offending someone. It's impossible, so I don't say anything at all. On the internet, I doesn't matter as much who your offending. I don't know, it's weird. I can say what I want. Those who agree, agree. Those who don't, don't. No glares, no "I find that offensive". I'll just say what's on my mind, which usually isn't that cruel. Sorry if I'm confusing you.

Answer 3

USA, male Yes, I think political correctness is pretty much non-existent online, and it's easier to express political views here.

Political correctness needs to die, be burned, buried and forgotten for all eternity! Not only is it completely pathetic, that anytime someone is offended they crime about it and either get the so called offender: fired from his job or have a lawsuit filed against them. It's a sad direction this country is going in when a single person, and it's usually a person of minority race or religion that is the offendee, can get someone in trouble for them using a simple word, or wearing offensive clothing or hanging Xmas lights at work! All political correctness is; is a way to take away our freedom of speech and freedom of expression!

And anyone with an image to uphold will use political correctness as a way to avoid having their rep tarnished or to avoid bad press! Just a popularity contest is all it is. People offend other people, it's just human nature and it's been happening for thousands of years! Why cry about it now!

Answer 4

Male, 31, Southeastern, USA

I'm not sure if I agree with the ability to express my views more freely than in person. I think that I am afforded a good platform to freely discuss any view I have in day to day life as well as the internet.

I DO believe that people genrally take more of a "Hard Line" approach with their politcal correctness and general lack of tact because they are shielded behind thier keyboards and otherwise conduct themselves in a fashion that they normally would not in person.

Bottom line is that people need to conduct themselves the same as they would in person.

Answer 5

The internet is the best place to give opinions because you can say what you want without fear of being stopped. This is forum is free from regulation except when you abused the rules. I am from Asia, a male and I agree that internet is good for a public expression of views.

Answer 6

Location: Canada.

On the internet, you can express your opinions about anything, and often people do. The fact that you are shielded by a computer makes people feel much tougher, and often they will spread things that are not true. Also, on the internet, you there are millions of people on at any given moment. It's much easier to find people who share the same views or are interested in the same topic.

Answer 7

From the US:

The key to the freedom of the Internet is that so many of the participants are essentially anonymous or, more accurately, pseudonymous.

We so rarely use our "real" names that we are uninhibited about saying things that we would never say in face-to-face conversation or in attibutable press. With a simple change of a profile page and an easy re-registration to a website we can run away and not be held accountable for anything we may say on here.

When we are required to take responsibility for our statements we tend to be much more careful with what we say.

Answer 8

USA Male

I agree, part of what makes PC such a touchy subject irl is the fact people can sue you for voicing your opinion. Speech is actually squelched by way of the courts for right or wrong. On line yall don't know me from Adam. In fact even though it is true that I am a male from the US, there really is no way of verifying that. With such anonymity comes freedom to express yourself more openly because out in the real world you can get sued or actually have people try to assault you where on line the biggest risk is having your account suspended.

Answer 9

I agree with that statement.

I have more freedom to state my political views online because I am a Democrat and a liberal living in a very Republican Southern state in the Bible Belt of the USA.

Answer 10

Yes I agree. Anonymity allows people to say what they would never say in front of civilized people. Politeness is cast aside & worrying about being politically correct is rarely even considered.
There is no punishment for saying what you think & judgement is only by people who do not know you. I am out spoken always but on line it is easier to say how I feel. No one is shocked that I have an opinion contrary to what society finds acceptable.
US female