On May 10, 2007, at 11:43 PM, Anthony West wrote:
That's why the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you
read a troll's unmoderated post. You are reading danger and your
body is telling you so.
MY neck? Not usually.
I think part of the problem is that some people take it upon
themselves to speak for others by saying things like "the hairs on
the back of your neck" when they really mean "the hairs on the back
of my neck," or "You are reading danger" instead of "I am reading
danger."
I know it's a common way people express themselves these days but I
believe there's a reason for it. I don't think people want to take
ownership of their thoughts and feelings and want to believe everyone
else feels the same way.
Call me old-fashioned but I believe the words people use are important.
I'm also offended by being told what behavior is "healthier" or more
"natural." As I see it, the ways humans interact and communicate have
always evolved and are now doing so pretty rapidly. Some people adapt
well to those changes, others don't. I've heard it said that the
ability to express anonymously online the parts of a person's
personality that would otherwise be stifled by social conventions is
healthy and liberating for some people. Obviously, it's just license
to be an asshole for some others.
For the record, I think civility barely exists anywhere anymore,
online or face-to-face. Social isolation through the internet, cell
phones and iPods could be part of the cause. Those things could also
be seen as refuge from the constant assault of noise and rudeness I
feel being on the street these days. They could be both or neither of
those things for different people.
Frank
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