Why is everyone so defensive on Yahoo answers?

Question

Some people seem to get very angry at some very rhetorical questions, questions which are not directed at anyone in particular. Some people get very mean for no reason. There are very few who have answered my questions with honesty, knowledge, and kindness. Why are human beings so rude these days?

Answer 1

I think you touched on the answer to the first question in your second question. It's not just Yahoo answers, it's just humanity. People can be very unkind.

Answer 2

You know what? Thanks for asking that question. I totally hear ya. It can get to the point where you can feel like you can't even ask an honest question on this forum without somebody trying to make you look like an idiot. There are some really cool people on here though, and I have had some people give me some really helpful answers. My guess is that the people who are rude are really just jaded and messed up by life (like most of us) and are taking it out in a place where they can hide their faces and say things to people that they would never have the heart to say in person. Hang in there, and don't let the knuckle-heads get you down.

Answer 3

I agree with the other posters that sometimes people can just be rude and mean. Sometimes I feel like more often than not. Lately I think social graces and politeness are at an all time low. I also think the anonymity that Answers provides, makes people feel like they can be rude with out much recourse. It is much tougher to be mean or say what you are really thinking when face to face.

It is a sad statement about today's society. In the meantime (no pun intended) those of us who realize this and disagree with it, can go out of our way to practice the "Golder Rule" so to speak.

Hope I have been one of those few to answer your question kindly and honestly. Take Care!

Answer 4

And why do they take the offensive?

Anyway .... the pen is mightier than the sword, and the tongue is one of the deadliest of weapons ....
but often we are not taught that ....

I think that is one reason children should learn to write letters and be in charge of their own greeting cards sent to others; wrapping their own presents and writing out the little gift cards ...... it awakens a sense of social manners and friendliness that otherwise goes un-taught... they should keep in touch with cousins and other relatives ...even if they don't write much or send such interesting news, still it makes them friendly and civilised ... I don't know what it is, but there is something very good that happens to them when they put on their own postage stamps ... etc..

What else should we do to make people friendly while they are young, before they learn to snap and snarl?

Answer 5

Everyone wants to achieve success. Many people want to achieve fame as well. But very few people are talented to achieve both.

Some persons achieve success and fame together.

Many people achieve success to their desired extent or less.

But what about the others who are not able to achieve either success or fame?

It is very likely that such people take out their frustration on unsuspecting persons by being rude or angry or mean and so on.

We can understand one thing very clearly from such behavior that the person is not able to fulfill his/her desire or meet the demand of the situation and so we can safely ignore such persons.

Answer 6

Because experience has taught people, that rhetorical questions are often just a way for a troll to stir up trouble for their own amusement.

Since a rhetorical question, by definition, needs no answer. Why are you even asking it here?

Answer 7

Not all people, but some, use Yahoo Answers to not only share their opinions but to use this opportunity to vent anger.
There is something therapeutic in kicking and screaming . It helps to release a little of the anger. I don't really think people are being mean deliberately, I think they say and do hurtful things because they themselves are hurting,don't recognize that hurt, and if they do, don't know what to do about it.

Answer 8

Anonymity, the internet affords us the opportunity to express our true feelings and anger while being completely safe behind the blanket of anonymity.

Answer 9

I'm guessing it's because people feel the need to belittle & put down other people to fulfill a need, or a desire to feel good about themselves. I don't think it actually works, but they do it anyway.

Answer 10

What do you mean I'm defensive ? I'm not defensive, everyone will tell you that I'm not defensive. I've never been defensive in my whole defensive life.