It's ok overhere, but I usually just refrain from posting all together on most forums. I've had some wonderfull convo's on forums with people I actually know a little, but it's a well known fact people online are generally idiots.
Without direct eye contact, the worst comes up in people and the usually shy mellow people get a big mouth and curse more then can be seen in a general rapvideo. The ones with a big mouth already in rl, well you know them by now.. they usually have mics and votekick you
Personally I feel the internet's one of the causes in today's world for more social agression. Did we curse each other out in the 50ties for having another opinion? The whole concept of 'being cool' most likely didn't exist as much. It's an interesting concept imo, heck I might do a paper on it someday.
But in short, why people online talk like idiots:
1 ability to speak anonymously -> big mouth, no respect for others
2 admins that don't control but enhance this bad community -> sometimes asses suffering from 1, usually young. Though at escapist they all seem pretty well mannerd and a bit older in general, making the escapist a 'safer' place to talk in.
3 gaming is build on the concept of score, making competitive behavior a factor in most online conversations + point 1 = point 3: people making even bigger idiots of themselves.
4 people that used to be respectfull, but are suffering from severe frustration from other people with 1,2,3, and are now getting a big mouth themselves. Yes you know them, they find it constructive to post things like:
*o god learn to search already! ( search function is poor or last thread died ages ago )
*you misspelled word x and y, clearly english is my first language and yours is not, I rule!
*you are new and don't have my 100000 postcount, clearly your opinion is inferior and doesn't matter! ( please escapist, turn postcount off.. it serves no purpose )
*lol, in before the lock ( does this post ever serve a purpose, no it doesn't )
etc..
If you combine these things, it's not that far fetched to say that 1-5% of total online forum posts actually have any meaning. Most is jibberish, ranting, or the typical e-cock forfilling his urges. So yes, the online world is a hostile place imo. I will most likely get a reply on saying that, stating something like:
O god you weenie, internet is serious business!! Learn to talk, learn to spell, you suck..
I'm just disappointed that alot of people online act like total retards, that the internet isn't serious is no excuse. You're indirectly communicating with other people and there is no reason to behave like you have your brain shoved in your ass. This goes for online forums and gaming chat in general.
My 2cents
