Why do you think it is that people on the internet can be so harsh with their comments and opinions?

I think it has a lot to do with the anonymous aspect of the internet. Also, even if the person isn’t anonymous I think it has to do with the fact that you really don’t know these people, unless you make an effort to do so an become friends. People are more careful and sensitive with people they’re close to. Much more so than with people they aren’t. (Does that make any sense the way I worded it?)

This explains the phenomena rather nicely.

People are mean on the internet because they can Hide behind a Computer Screen.

Agree with all the above and think that Internet incivility is fueling the increasing diminshment of social grace in all arenas, including politics.

Are you asking because you have noticed that going on here lately? I haven’t.

I think it is because of the lack of face-to-face contact which has an inhibiting effect.

I think it is because things can come across harsher in writing without any potential softening done by body language or tone of voice.

So, topics that are controversial shouldn’t be asked because hurt feelings will be involved? Why use rational at all then? Let us just bask & be in awe of aesthetics. People behave the same way in real life. One see’s death as something sad while another see’s it as something beautiful, shall we now wage war, or disregard all of it as absurdities, sacrificing thought for emotional empathy?

I really don’t understand why some people take it personally if that particular question didn’t refer to them. I think some people prefer emotion rather than rationality in this case.

I really don’t value personal attack,insults,mocks,etc I rather ignore them and avoid unnecessary fight rather than playing with these offenders. There’s an exception when someone being rude toward me in my question,I want to ignore them but I feel I have the responsibility to clarify/explain the matter,and since I’m never the first person that hurt someone.

I tend to answer question directly toward what the OP asked for.

Because IRL there is so much pressure to get along. Social mores force us all to hide our asshole sides. On the internet people just let it out.

I’m pretty blunt whether online or not. No need to be so sensitive.

Mean? To others? On the Internet?

I think you answered your own question.

I also think that opinions are not deserving of respect just by being opinions. Some opinions are more valid than others. Some opinions are offensive and degrading and deserve to be criticized harshly.

I also have a statement that I see to be very true: If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Also, there is a difference between asking a question to hear people’s input and asking a question so you can force your opinion in other people’s faces. In that case, it’s not really a question at all when you won’t accept any of the perfectly good answers given. You just want to force your opinion on other people and hear what you want to hear. And yes, I am referring to the “homosexuality is the same as bestiality” question that was just pulled and I think you were too in posting this.

Some people ask “questions” just so they can toot their own horn and prove themselves right and everyone else wrong without listening to what anyone else has to say on the matter.

I call it digital courage…anonymity is a powerful weapon not all use wisely. A most unfortunate reality of forums and blogs.

Personally, I behaving same way like I am in real life. Whatever I’m saying here I would say face to face. I’m even nicer here. But, I totally agree some people choose to be assholes only online, it’s sad.

I get angry on Fluther very easily. Not so in life, not so on other social sites. Go figure.

You’re implying people are rude on the internet? That’s a bullshit thing to say! What a stupid question! You’re stupid and I hate you!

Honestly though, I think most others hit it on the head: anonymity breeds courage. You can say whatever the hell you want with probably zero consequences and ignore any and all hurt/angry sentiments. If you talk like that to someone in person, the problem may not be as easily ignored as walking away from a computer.

People know that being nasty to one another is usually frowned upon in the real world (unless sanctioned by the state, or your name is Andrew Breitbart), and some behaviours that hurt people are even criminal. I’m sure I’ve known plenty of people out there in the F2F world, who, if it were legal, would have had no problem cracking my head open with a mace if they thought they could get away with it. Alas, they can’t.

On the internet, though, who cares? A person can lie, cheat, steal, call people names, be utterly irrational and thoughtless, anything they want, and there’s not a lot anyone can do about it. It’s the id run rampant.

[mod says:] General Section question.

Because they can, and easily and safely, at that.

See ya…..Gary/wtf

I think sometimes they need to channel their inner asshole. I’m assuming most people to not be assholes in general. I also think most people will lash out more freely at someone they don’t recognize or often interact with.

Do you think it is because of the relative anonymity of the internet? Absolutely.

Do you think it is because the written word is more “black and white” than the spoken word? Somewhat, I also believe that it is hard to compose thought to written word and it does take some skill to express thought.

What other reasons do you think it may be due to? People read too fast and miss the point. People read too fast and are already venting and ready with ammo before they have read and understood the writer’s point.

@DominicX : i wasn’t referring to the bestiality question, like you thought. i did not see that question. i was actually thinking of the “what do i do now if i asked my cousin if he is gay?” question, where someone ended up leaving over feeling pissed at the answers. but if you or i look around on this site, we could both find many other examples over the past few years of people’s harshness and rudeness.

this q brings to mind that Gieco advertisement where Gunnie is playing the therapist. Seen that one yet? It’s the first time I heard the term “jackwagon” used. It all makes perfect sense now. Seriously though, there are butloads of people who a rough in person too.
Americans have become too weak in the past generation or so. Some prefer to call it sensitivity. I blame it on how much easier life is in general because I really don’t understand the phenomenon. You can’t look at anyone sideways nowadays without stirring someone up.

Because they don’t have to personally confront the person with whom they’re using such harsh comments. It’s easier to speak one’s mind and not care about the consequences thereof when you don’t have to deal with it face on.

? Because they’re cowards….

The only thing I do differently here than I would IRL, is that I stay in the fray longer than I would if it was face to face. This format forces people to take turns, and talk one at a time. IRL if a person is rabid in their opinions they tend to interrupt and start shouting, and destroy any chance of a civilized conversation. If I was talking to someone face to face, I’d either walk away or change the subject long before it wound down on its own, or someone got killed. I think that contributes partly to the tendency you’re asking about. Nobody is really there to shut them down before they get offensive.

@jca To answer part of your question: Look at the avatars on Fluther. What does that tell you? Mine is of me taken in my local area at lunch one day. But other peoples’? I’ve noticed a similar situation on other sites, too. I’ll always stand by what I post, and sometimes make necessary adjustments to opinions, etc. But never do I wish insult or offence to any one. I am simply blunt on occasion, if that’s called for.

So, I generally agree with the above as to the reasons for comments and opinions expressed online.

GQ for you. Keep them coming.

I guess the moderated people beat me to the punch

It’s seem easier for some when they don’t have to look others in the eye.