The Angering of the Internet
There has been a lot online over the last couple of days about popular blogger Kathy Sierra and the death threats posted on her blog and elsewhere on the Web (if you haven’t seen it, you can read about it here and here) Obviously, I think this is tragic, scary, stupid, and all in all a sad commentary on how the internet can provide individuals with a sense of freedom and anonymity that can cause them to behave in ways they normally would not. As “citizen journalism” (blogs, wikis, etc) continues to become part of the new Web, it is interesting to see what some people are willing to comment on, post etc. Any day of the week you can go to our local paper online and read multiple comments on stories ranging from immigration, to Purdue and IU, to city government - and read people ridiculing other comments, the subjects of the story or just random people. Are we really that hateful of a society? Are we heading down a path where well thought out arguments and civil discourse are pushed aside for name calling, threats, and sophomoric antics? I would like to think that the internet and the new forms of communication are providing for a smarter citizenry but then I see things like the Kathy issue and I wonder where we are heading? How far are people willing to go when cloaked by and ISP and a username?
Comments
Chris,
I am definitely NOT going to kill you.
Blog in peace,
-- CMH
Posted by: El Harmonz | March 28, 2007 03:30 PM
I haven't heard about the Kathy Sierra stuff (I've been running around CTIA in Orlando chasing down cell phone and wireless device news), but I'm not really surprised about this. I think this will get worse before it gets better, as more people get online and start to realize they can post anonymous comments without much retribution or consequence.
But I don't think that anonymous postings should be banned, as it does allow for some opinions and thoughts to be voiced on certain issue. For example, we have a very contentious road closing issue going on in our town, and a lot of people have been going online to a newspaper forum Web site and posted anonymous messages back and forth (pro and con). A small number of angry residents are posting nasty things on the board, so much that I'd be afraid of posting my name on any counter-opinion for fear they'd find out where I lived, etc. (the issue is that contentious). I agree that most issues can be discussed civilly, but I'm not sure if you swing the pendulum in the other direction that it would necessarily solve the problem.
The best way is for people to rebuke the nasty posts and remind people that civility in any discussion is best.
Good post, this one got me thinking...
Posted by: Keith Shaw | March 28, 2007 10:43 PM
Keith,
I agree, I think anonymous posting is good in many situations, I am just intrigued/sad to see how some people use that anonymity to say such crazy things. I think that a large majority of these people would never say those things to someones face but the internet provides that alter-ego to come out, and I wonder where it all stops?
Posted by: Chris | March 29, 2007 11:39 AM