I am asking this question in the "politics" section because I know you are all intellectals who appreciate debating an interesting subject....
Plenty of times (regardless of the subject matter), I've noticed how people can be downright mean/rude to askers here on Y! Answers. It's disheartening to know that people have so much pent up rage and feel the need to unleash it upon innocent people who are just sending a question out into the void. Don't get me wrong...there are some real weirdo freaks who post some nasty, disturbing questions and deserve a little backlash, but for those who are asking ligitimate questions...why are they getting tormented?
The question is...does anonymity encourage people to be "themselves," or does it bring out the worst. I'd like to know if this is REALLY how people are...or if the veil of the computer screen gives them the chance to unleash their pent up rage.
Your thoughts?
2007-06-27 13:36:26 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
LMAO Earthman. Too funny!
2007-06-27 13:45:51 · update #1
both, simultaneously
2007-06-27 13:43:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It all depends upon the person, as to whether anonymity can be a good thing or a bad thing. To me, it allows me to give my opinion or an intellectual answer without feeling that the person actually knows me and will come beat me up for speaking up about certain issues they do not like me to talk about. I don't really like alot of the negativity around here, but sometimes people will ask an intelligent question that really gets me thinking. Other people enjoy the anonymity around here simply so they can act more negatively than they could in everyday life, just to get more of their kicks also. Generally the younger population seems to do this.
2007-06-27 22:14:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Right you are. And some people are so crude and mean they even include it as part of their signon name.
I think they grew up in deprived households where both love and money were scarce. Don't get me wrong, a lack of money wouldn't have been bad but the combination with a lack of love makes people hurtful and mean. And you are also right that it spews forth like lava from a volcano on the Politics segment of YA.
Don't let them get you down. It's their problem. Not yours...
2007-06-28 22:29:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may allow people to be rude, but it allows people to remove their mask, and I appreciate that. I find that being able to talk to people about things I wouldn't to anyone I know is helpful. You can be yourself and say what you think without some reputation. I like it. The rudeness is dissapointing. People don't understand how much some things they say mean to people. Though some comments are meant to be serious (turning out as rude), or they are just trying to be mean, these comments can really bother people for days. I understand it. It's annoying and unnecessary.
2007-06-27 20:48:05 · answer #4 · answered by Elizabeth 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that anonymity very much encourages people to say things that they wouldn't within the bounds of actual conversation. Many of the individuals using YA can be dowright VILE.
I try to be reasonable, but when I see posts like "filthy muzzies", "liberal losers", and the ever-popular "if you hate this country so much, go live in Iraq!"---something in me just kind of...snaps.
So I suppose I'm guilty of it too, though mainly when provoked. It's a cycle that feeds on itself....you insult my views, I insult yours. If only we could all agree to decent and intelligent discourse!
2007-06-27 20:47:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes it definetly does and i admit ive been "mean" so many times over the net to people i never met in my life and ive said things i wouldnt say to anyones face i would really like to think that im not actually like that but i do believe your right in the sense that the internet does give us a chance to scream curse be vulgar and say whatever we want without anyone ever finding out
2007-06-27 20:46:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It does, but at the same time as with emails - its hard to read into a person's tone and if they are patronising you or being sarcastic or just being nice (as they are in person)
yes people can be nasty....because with the internet, they can get away with it.
2007-06-27 20:46:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that is exactly what you see on Y!A. I'm sure that most people lack the courage to say in person 90% of the garbage they spout here. I, on the other hand, say worse things face to face.
2007-06-27 20:40:35 · answer #8 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
its a double edged sword for some they come here to be horriable to others even if their really nice people in reality and in others they beleive they may truly help some one so they try to answer kindly and accurately
2007-06-27 20:45:43 · answer #9 · answered by renee70466 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it does both actually. It depends on people's intent and sometimes even moods.
2007-06-27 20:39:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. We do not have to responsible on the net.
2007-06-27 20:41:34 · answer #11 · answered by Jim G 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋