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DaRk AnGel : Why Home : December 2005 : Internet Psychopaths....

Internet Psychopaths....

Internet Bullies….

Ever notice that every forum has bullies in them? Cowards who remain faceless yet threaten and abuse others at every chance they get. Often the only words spelled correctly in their posts are the ones that one never learns in school. Their grammar is as rough as they attempt themselves to appear. They have in fact hurt many people with the letters keyed in.

Some of them are angry young kids. I feel pity for them. Something somehow went terribly wrong in their past or their upbringing. I think that the hurt they bear is making them want everyone else to hurt as well, so they attack others unmercifully.

Then there are the adults that do the same things that really get me angry. They are just mean and cruel. And they know better yet maturity is something they cast aside online.

Why do these things occur? Why do people hurt others for little or no reason?

Sometimes it is a legitimate discussion that takes a bad turn. People do try to attach emotions to the words they read on the screen. If their interpretation is one of attack or disrespect, they respond in kind. And this may not be the intent of the one who posted the offensive message, but goes straight into the insecurities of the reader. So the reader responds to something that was meant to be benign and the original poster responds. Their fury escalates and the other members either try to make peace, or they join sides. One bitter argument can totally destroy the friendships that were created.

At other times someone decides that they are better than someone else and that they have the right to belittle the person. This bullying attitude is something that really can tear a forum or chat room apart. Some of the places are moderated, but those that are not, become on going words of war. And the people not in the fracas are definitely affected. What once became a place of refuge is abandoned or they become part of the attack.

I often wonder what these people would do in real life. I mean face to face? Would they misunderstand words when there was body language, tone of voice and facial expression added to them? Would they still attack people for little or no reason? It is a lot harder to be mean when someone knows where one lives. It is a lot harder to be insulting when the person has recourse.

Too bad we cannot force all those that constantly disrupt the forums and chat rooms into one place. Let them have it out with each other. Then we could visit at will simply for amusement. Maybe even money could be made on admission to the sites? I mean people do pay to see boxers and UFC people beat the hell out of each other, why would it be expected that they would not pay to see the online worst of the worst go at it?

I recently joined MySpace.com. One of many sites that promote community through the internet. It has been years since I went to a forum or a chat room and tonight out of boredom I ventured into a forum. There it was.. Nothing changed. Attacks, name calling, threats and insults abounded.

Too bad there is not a forum or chat area where people all play nice. Sure whenever you have large amounts of people together there will be disagreements. But not pure meanness. All I want to do is read peoples opinions, their day to day trials, their successes, and their greatest moments. Not the words of someone who is an internet psychopath, behaving the way that they would never in public, or face to face with a person.

Sadly there is no way to keep these people at bay. If they are banned, they simply resign up as a new user. They are a part of this virtual life. It is just so sad that some choose to let the meanness flow, instead of the positive characteristics of their personae. Hopefully someday, somehow, they will taste what they serve. Then maybe humility might teach them that it really doesn't feel too good to be the receiver of such malice.