Why are Internet users still so rude?

Question

Michael Kinsley observed ( http://www.slate.com/id/2154507 ) that Internet users are becoming less and less anonymous. If so, why is the standard for behavior still so much lower than in meatspace? Even among relatively small forum communities, where people come to know each other to a fair extent, there are still many habitually extremely rude individuals, many of whom are grown adults.

To the best of my knowledge, the prevailing theory for this could be summarized by "Gabe's GIFT" ( http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19 ). But is this really true, given that often, there's really not that much anonymity? Some people shrug it off with a comment along the lines of "LOL, it's the Internet." But why should this be an intrinsic characteristic of the Internet? Particularly with message boards, which allow you to carefully think through what you have to say before saying it; it's much easier to keep your temper. So WHY is there so much incivility?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I think this is due to the nature of the "virtual culture" we are in. With the prevalence of Net users, as well as the trait of anonymity that goes with it, people have developed an eroded sense of culture. They begin to see themselves not as who they really are, but as someone they want to be. Sure they can be shy when out in the streets, or of their own homes, but when in the Internet, they can be brash, rude, or even kind. Not all Internet users are bad (or rude, in your question). It's just that the effect of being on the Internet can have an effect on one's perception on what is and what is not. It has reshaped our lives, our culture, as well as our perception on things.

To end, I think that the Internet should not be blamed, nor are the users.

As an additional thought, with the Internet replacing real life interaction as a way of communication, whether it be formal or casual or derogatory, I think the "virtual culture" thus formed influenced the reality constructed by the individual users.

Hope this clears the issue. :)

Source(s):

experience and thoughts

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

I guess this works. I still don't fully understand the chain of connections between "Internet" and "rude," particularly because the "anonymity" bit is fuzzy. If you know each other's usernames, nationalities, sexes, views on various issues...YRU still more likely to scream without physical presence?

Answer 2

That's life, people are flaud.

Answer 3

becuase we have the right to be

Answer 4

yawn..
are you this bored?

do you really care about rude internet users.
I don't.
I can peruse and scan --zip right by em.

Answer 5

Perhaps the problem is intrinsically linked to society as a whole. I would imagine if you did a study of different nationalities on internet rudeness you would get vastly different results depending on where you came from. It all depends on your moral outlook on life and how mummy and daddy brought you up.
Incidentally, were you breast fed?

Answer 6

1 part immaturity and 1 part anonymity.

Source(s):

life

Answer 7

because some people have no lives and have nothing better to do but talk crap about other people oooooooooor they are just jealous of the person they are being rude to.

Answer 8

because they think they can get away with it. and they don't have the guts to say it in person.

Answer 9

Because the illusion of anonymity is still there, people feel little need to censor themselves.

Answer 10

Because they can hide behind their computers.

Answer 11

a lot of people are rude online because for some, they are really shy and reserved on the outside in the public and will not dare to show any vulgarness, but online, they can hide and no one will know who they are. so therefore, they will freely express themselves however they want. and of course, some people just do it for fun and want to see others' reaction.

Answer 12

Because there are a lot of cretins and morons that don't have the brains god gave a rock and in general they don't have a real life.

Answer 13

They have nasty attitudes thats telling them to change their ways.