Why We Are So Rude Online - Page 2 - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Cowboys&LakersFan · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rynie

It's because people aren't face-to-face, so they feel like a mighty keyboard warrior, while hiding behind a computer screen.

/thread

This.

Sam I Am · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rynie

It's because people aren't face-to-face, so they feel like a mighty keyboard warrior, while hiding behind a computer screen.

/thread

CanadianCowboysFan · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yakuza Rich

I think it has to do with the way the internet is set up. Since you are not dealing with the person face-to-face, your opinions can be much stronger without any real reprecussion or the thought of any reprecussion.

What I often see is when somebody screws up, even if it's harmless or an honest mistake or whatever, people love to get on the internet and say to the effect 'I've lost all respect for you.'

If the person that they had lost all respect for was there face to face, we probably would not feel so free to mention that we've lost all respect for that person for different reasons like having to interact with that person who gets angry after your comment or whatever.

[View Full Quote]

Similar is the "my prayers for X, my condolences to X" etc, the person will never see them so why post them?

**WoodysGirl** · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianCowboysFan

Similar is the "my prayers for X, my condolences to X" etc, the person will never see them so why post them?

I don't see that as being similar..

But to your point, people offer condolences when they're lead to do it in their heart, not for any other reason. And it doesn't matter if the person doesn't see it. They did it because they wanted to.

a_minimalist · 10-03-2012

they do it because they don't have to worry about getting punched in the face or shot or beaten. there's a lot of space and air to protect them. they are cowards.

CanadianCowboysFan · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

I don't see that as being similar..

But to your point, people offer condolences when they're lead to do it in their heart, not for any other reason. And it doesn't matter if the person doesn't see it. They did it because they wanted to.

Other than the fact it makes you feel better, what purpose do they serve?

**WoodysGirl** · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianCowboysFan

Other than the fact it makes you feel better, what purpose do they serve?

Do you need multiple reasons to offer condolences?

CanadianCowboysFan · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

Do you need multiple reasons to offer condolences?

Saying condolences on a meaningless webboard about someone you don't know personally and who you will never meet and who will never read the condolence seems meaningless to me.

It would be like me going up to the mountains and screaming, "I'm sorry X person for your loss".

**WoodysGirl** · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianCowboysFan

Saying condolences on a meaningless webboard about someone you don't know personally and who you will never meet and who will never read the condolence seems meaningless to me.

It would be like me going up to the mountains and screaming, "I'm sorry X person for your loss".

Maybe it is...to you.

But if it makes one person feel good (even if it's only the person who offered it), then that's all that matters.

There's a thread in the Fan Zone with a letter to Jerry Jones. What are the chances he actually reads it? But as long as the OP felt good when writing it, then that's all that matters.

**jobberone** · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianCowboysFan

Similar is the "my prayers for X, my condolences to X" etc, the person will never see them so why post them?

That is a very interesting question.

It is because mankind has empathy. We actually care about other people and it doesn't have to be some person you know. We do so because we can see ourselves in that situation and it resonates. We want to them to know they aren't alone and they face their problems with others. We want them to know we care about them. It is the equivalent of reaching out and touching a shoulder or hand in comfort.

Let me get scientific with you since I'm a scientist. There was a recent study of the behaviors of baboons. There was some interesting results that were unexpected. The animals who were 'nice' had greater survival rates than others. It was not dependent on their social hierarchy in the group. So the social interactions of animals capable of being helpful, nice, and compassionate reflected in greater survival rates and how they were treated by others.

TheDallasDon · 10-03-2012

I think I summed up the thread nicely

CanadianCowboysFan · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodysGirl

Maybe it is...to you.

But if it makes one person feel good (even if it's only the person who offered it), then that's all that matters.

There's a thread in the Fan Zone with a letter to Jerry Jones. What are the chances he actually reads it? But as long as the OP felt good when writing it, then that's all that matters.

That is not the same thing as he intends to send it to Jerry afterward.

**WoodysGirl** · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianCowboysFan

That is not the same thing as he intends to send it to Jerry afterward.

The OP is a she... and the question I asked is still valid.

What are the odds that Jerry actually reads that letter?

CanadianCowboysFan · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by jobberone

That is a very interesting question.

It is because mankind has empathy. We actually care about other people and it doesn't have to be some person you know. We do so because we can see ourselves in that situation and it resonates. We want to them to know they aren't alone and they face their problems with others. We want them to know we care about them. It is the equivalent of reaching out and touching a shoulder or hand in comfort.

Let me get scientific with you since I'm a scientist. There was a recent study of the behaviors of baboons. There was some interesting results that were unexpected. The animals who were 'nice' had greater survival rates than others. It was not dependent on their social hierarchy in the group. So the social interactions of animals capable of being helpful, nice, and compassionate reflected in greater survival rates and how they were treated by others.

I believe you made my point for me, it isn't the equivalent of reaching out as the person will never see it. Sure you might want that person to know you care but given they never will know as they will never see it, it is an exercise in futility.

I don't see how you are showing empathy or caring when the person on the receiving side never knows or benefits from it. It isn't the same as donating to a telethon for a hurricane or flood victim where there might actually be a benefit to the victims at the end of the day. They are anonymous and the person receiving the benefit will never know who sent it, but at least they get a benefit. Both sides feel better, the person for giving the $$ and the one receiving it.

A condolence thread on a webboard that will just sit there and never be seen to me is a meaningless gesture to the victim.

Cowboys&LakersFan · 10-03-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianCowboysFan

Similar is the "my prayers for X, my condolences to X" etc, the person will never see them so why post them?

Ignorance is bliss my friend.