jmdirt
Posts:775
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| 07/01/2014 11:38 AM |
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Comment sections on web sites have always been an "interesting" place, but it seems that they are only a negative comments section now. The comments either bash the subject of the story or another person commenting about the story. It didn't used to be that way, I wonder what happened?
Most of us here saw what happened at the old Velo News Forum, Cyclingnews is scary (getting crazy for TdF), but even ESPN which has always been rough is just a wasteland now. So those are "competitive" environments, but even sites like Cnet have become bashing zones. Even our local news paper has significantly limited comments. For years it was pretty constructive entertainment, but fell off a cliff. Are people pissed off/frustrated and anonymous posting allows them to vent? |
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THE SKINNY
Posts:506
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| 07/01/2014 12:20 PM |
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| i don't think it's the collapse of civil society although it makes me feel that way at times. there definitely is some serious polarization and ugliness that rears its head in anonymous forums. and a lot of loudmouths. i think as a society we're separated from other people by our cars and televisions and earbuds and we grow more intolerant of what we feel is right versus what someone else feels is right. plus we're insecure so we get defensive. |
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| How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3180
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| 07/01/2014 12:57 PM |
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Skinny, I just had a thought triggered by your closing line. If people choose to spend their days on the internet being defensive and intolerant, isn't that how they are choosing to live their lives? Or are they just internet a**holes and great people everywhere else and that disconnect is OK?
Ben |
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THE SKINNY
Posts:506
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| 07/01/2014 01:49 PM |
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| to connect this to cycling, most people are tolerant or indifferent about people riding bikes on the road. some are not tolerant but keep it to themselves and others feel they have to vent their spleen at you. i think that on a forum, it's the same way although the anonymity brings out more vitriol. and intolerance breeds intolerance. a couple of pints at the pub is usually a better way to discuss stuff. |
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| How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. |
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jrt1045
Posts:363
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| 07/01/2014 02:29 PM |
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Agree with you on Cycling News, that place is a ding dong festival. All sock puppets, posters, admin and "moderators" included
I think it cuts both ways, people are rough on the interwebs because of the anonymity but those that get butt hurt are usually pretty naive about the environment that they're posting they're foolishness in. Big thing, no face to face and no need to compromise
As far as the need for anonymous comments, its there. Otherwise we get news articles that are press releases, I think it keeps the writer on their toes as you look really dumb to carry on like you don't read them |
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jookey
Posts:197
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| 07/01/2014 03:11 PM |
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Depending on your point of view. It is all Obama's fault or the Tea Party.
Budget deficits, global warming, Millar not getting a tour bid, pinch flats... |
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vtguy
Posts:298
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| 07/01/2014 03:18 PM |
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| jookey -- Don't forget non-aero equipment. |
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6ix
Posts:485
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| 07/01/2014 04:19 PM |
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Just read the comments associated with any article Yahoo! posts on their main page. It's hard not to read them because it's like watching a train-wreck. Awful yet somehow amusing. However, I'm trying very hard to refrain from reading them because all the negativity hurt my mood and general outlook on life. One would be lead to believe that all humans are pieces of filth and that there is no love or kindness in the world. While that does seem to be the case, I still try to have hope that deep down inside, people are good by nature. It's a philosophical approach that has resulted in me being taken advantage of many times but I choose to live my life focusing on the positive.
The people that post comments the most are strongly opinionated one way or the other. They absolutely MUST be heard by everyone because THEIR view is the correct one. Religions tend to do this a lot.
I honestly think the government loves seeing all these nasty comments and stupid online battles play out. Why? Because it takes our focus away from what REALLY is going on. Liberals vs. conservatives (doesn't matter which one, you just have to HATE the other,) PC vs. Apple, iOS vs. Android, Ford vs. Chevy, etc. It's all about misdirection. |
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THE SKINNY
Posts:506
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| 07/01/2014 04:36 PM |
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| maybe it's a form of therapy for people to blow off steam. beats shooting up a school. |
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| How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. |
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jookey
Posts:197
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| 07/01/2014 07:43 PM |
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| 6ix, you forgot one... Campy vs Shimano. That's a classic. |
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thinline
Posts:323
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| 07/02/2014 10:10 AM |
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Jookey, it's Campag. Cripes, don't you learn anything while you're living in your mother's basement licking the orange cheeto dust from you keyboard!
:-) |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2881
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| 07/02/2014 01:50 PM |
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| No, it's Campy. :-> |
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jrt1045
Posts:363
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| 07/02/2014 02:57 PM |
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SHIMANO IS BETTERER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
now I feel better |
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