The Internet and Being an Asshole
How many people find they are much more of an asshole on the internet? I'm not talking about trolling or saying really mean, degrading things - I'm talking about being far less afraid of expressing your opinions aggressively, like calling people on their bullshit or saying something is stupid/nuts. I'm coming to find I'm much more capable of doing that on the internet than I am in real life, probably because I'm so afraid of hurting somebody's feelings or making them dislike me.
It might not be all a matter of anonymity - there are people who don't know who I really am but I still don't want to offend them because I basically consider them a friend - I think part of it might be the environment that is the internet - sometimes people say random, mean things to me on the internet and I don't care, because I dismiss it as some random asshole, and in turn I'm much more likely to say to somebody "That's fucking stupid, Ben," because I imagine they'll dismiss it just as easily.
I don't know, do you feel your more capable of expressing your opinions, even negative ones, on the internet than in real life? and if so, do you feel like that makes you an asshole? Or are you just letting your inner asshole out?
Comments
Yes overall with strangers at least people are just more honest, its not usually a bad thing
I dont think I'm ruder online though
nope, unless they deserve it.
I'm usually pretty open about expressing my opinions, on and offline. There's nothing wrong with that and IMO it doesn't make you an asshole. I agree that anonymity can give people the confidence to express their opinion, but it's up to the individual person what they do with it.
Internet assholes are people that are unable or unwilling to express themselves in a socially acceptable manner. The internet appeals to these kinds of people because they don't have to worry about the repercussions of what they say (e.g. Getting punched in the face).
Nope, I'm pretty much like this in Real life, but probably more abrasive, some people would say, I'm actually quite the Casanova life of the party. I've never been afraid of anything, since i came back to the states.
Internet Jerks/Trolls whatever are just people with low self esteem. Why else would they feel the need to insult/degrade someone.
As to the opinion part , i feel like i can't really share what i think most of the time, because i will upset someone. So i just bite my tongue the best i can.
Not really. I don't think most people notice me IRL or online.
I'm a lot nicer and more persuasive than on here. On here, you can't hear my voice so you can't tell that when I say a lot of things on here that might sound rude or mean I actually mean it in a soft, nice tone. Also on the Internet I'm bad at arguing.
I take notice to what my behavior is like online, I try to act a bit more respectful than IRL, but not afraid to let a bit of asshole out
I'm actually a lot nicer on here most of the time. Doesn't stop me from getting into petty arguments though.
I'm nice but I say extremely mean stuff that I don't even really mean to people just to see their reaction.
Sometimes. I'll be honest I am a bit more critical because I open up online. But my personality, humor or opinions are my own. Mostly what you see is what you get
Not really, the only difference is that I'll actually converse with people more often. I'm a bit too shy when talking face to face with someone, unless I know them well or I hit it off with them.
I think I speak my mind more in a sense over the Internet (since I am a bit socially awkward, but trying to get over it and have made some progess) so I guess at times it can be taken as being an asshole.
I may be more forward at times on the Internet, but I always try to stay nice. If I can't do that, then I wonder if the conversation is really benefiting from my participation. I've been online for quite a while, though, so I've had lots of practice at figuring out what to avoid.
On the internet, You either die a hero, Or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
I can assure you, I'm just as big of a dick in real life, too.
For me it depends on the topic being addressed. If I'm well versed with the ins and outs then I'm as likely to engage in the conversation in person as I am on the internet (such as calling a creationist out on their fundamentally flawed logic). If I am not well versed in the topic then I am much more likely to be aggressive on the internet, because I have the web to check my claims and even if my argument completely falls apart I can just... well.. not continue the conversation. It's easy to save face when you have no face to lose! Do I feel like it makes me a bigger asshole? Yes.
I'm pretty much the same on here as I am in real life.
The struggle
In all honesty, I'm more susceptible of being an ass, but only if I see something incredibly stupid. Other than that, I guess I'm ok.
Everyone is a character on the internet. They get to put on a mask, act like they do all the cool shit they really don't do and their egos come out fully.
My issue is more with the fact, people don't stand for shit anymore. They all say they have opinions but don't care to do shit other than scream on a social media site.
I'm fairly sure I act pretty much the same exact way I do online as I do in real life. I enjoy engaging in discussion with people of differing opinions both online and offline. I've always been a very outspoken person when it comes to my views and opinions, and rarely do I care what other people think of said views and opinions, even if they find them offensive. I don't like sugarcoating, I say what I think, and I mean what I say. If that makes me an asshole then oh well.
I aspire to be as consistently an asshole online as I do in the real world. It's a point of pride for me.
I speak out minimally on the Internet than I do in real life, since based on my experience (here in the interwebs), I tend to be misunderstood.
It all depends on the nature of the website,if it's filled with assholes then I'll act like an asshole too,I'll just try to adapt to any environment anywhere I'm in wheteher it on or offline.
LOL!
Been too long since i last saw you. Not sure if you recognize me.
Yes, I actually do find myself being an asshole. In real life, I'm usually quiet, I don't say any mean things to anyone. But in the internet, I'm a much different person.
Because the mere fact is is that they don't have to face the person they're talking with.
The "human" element is removed.
And the more time people spend online, rather than being out in the real world and socializing with others, it will only get worse.
That is the way it is, kid!
In some respects, and this is my personal opinion, the internet was one of the worst things ever invented.
The biggest reason is because it does take away from people being able to socialize with others, especially when people begin spending excessive amounts of time on it.
Yes there are websites like Facebook and Twitter where people can connect with people that they might not get to see very often, which in itself is fine.
But they still doesn't replace being able to talk and interact with others in a one-on-one setting.
That's why it's important to have a limit as to how much time you spend online.
Don't let it keep you from having a social life, one where you're out with others and having fun.
The computer can be a useful tool, but it is a horrible master - if you allow it to dominate your life.
And for those who are perhaps nervous about socializing with others in the real world, please let me assure you that it's not as hard as it might seem.
Once you get the hang of it, it's really quite easy.
But it does take time to develop.
Developing your social skills doesn't happen overnight, but if you will be patient and be 100% committed doing so, you will succeed.
I try as hard as I am able to respect someone's opinion but when they make their opinions facts on something I value, or insult me or a topic I feel strongly about, I just become aggressively defendant but I regret it, although I never go to such lengths as to be overwhelmingly aggressive.
I mean what I say and I say what I mean
I'm completely honest with my opinions not matter how they are viewed as long as it's what I believe I like to express my opinions with complete honesty then if it's wrong I can be corrected and can learn or change my views based on a counter argument or simple confirm it to myself
I try not to single out a person as wrong with their views unless it contains racism, sexism or some sort of clear ignorance plus you have to take into account a good few questions don't have a correct answer just how you perceive something so you have to respect them.
If I do counter on solid points I usually don't say your wrong just this is my opinion on the issue as both our answers our equally correct as most questions can be your point of view on the issue
In real life I'm the exact same tbh
Hey
I think I remember seeing you around, it's nice to talk with you again.
Doesn't that make you not nice?
The Youtube comments section is their primary hub.
^ this
That ^
And this ^
Hence,
Why i don't talk about my opinion on TWDG S2. I'm tired.
I make people on the Internet cry. 2 years ago I hacked a kids xbox live account and spent all of his moms money on toilet paper and socks.
I like to watch funny videos and videos that make you have faith in humanity, but then everything changed when the Youtube Commenters attacked.