Why We Are So Rude Online

[CanadianCowboysFan]

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]

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

Do you need multiple reasons to offer condolences?

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

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]

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]

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]

I think I summed up the thread nicely

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[5Stars]

Learn the word "LOVE"....think about it and what you can do with it.

That word can answer a lot of questions about life.

 

[jobberone]

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.

You're interpreting it improperly. The point is there is a driving force to be compassionate and empathetic that has positive reinforcement. The thought comes before the deed. There is a reason we think that way which is reinforced by mother nature as well as our fellow man. There is also the altruistic reasons to do so. Most of us are hardwired for it reinforced by the environment.

Plus, didn't your mother ever tell you to be nice?

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I didn't know you had to give anonymous condolences to people you don't know in order to be nice.

 

[5Stars]

I didn't know you had to give anonymous condolences to people you don't know in order to be nice.

Then you too!

Did I have to post that? No...!

If you have love, then you have compassion.

:

 

[BringBackThatOleTimeBoys]

Interesting that reputedly the World's most notorious troller lives in Arlington - walking distance from Cowboy's Stadium?

After saying almost everything sexist, racist, anti-semetic, other patently offensive content for five years on Rededit, he was outed, immediately fired from his job, got death threats. A technical recruiter said even without his baggage, he would have a hard time getting another IT job....anyone want to guess what he did instead of keeping his skills current?

Anyway, I believe anonymity on the internet should be limited because trollers and cyber-bullies abuse the intent of free speech. Like a classic bully, most would be too gutless to do in person what they do online.

Touching video of a teen that was duped into sexting, got harassed, then took her life

 

[Rack]

Why We Are So Rude Online

I'm actually nicer online than I am at work. At home I just kind of go brain dead and let the happenings of the work day dissapate.