Keyboard Drama

What is the point of bickering back and forth on the Internet?

I have been reading a handful off CNN and Time.com articles and different topics.  On some of the articles based on controversial topics (May 21st Doomsday, Trump Vs. Obama, Gay Marriage, etc...) I have taken the time to read a few of the reader comments about what they've just read.  I noticed a similar trend as I read more and more of the "gallery of public opinion" that followed an article written by a Professional Journalist. 99% of the of the reader commentary was people arguing with each other's opinion...NOT the opinion (nor a comment) about the article.

What is the point of arguing via a keyboard?  Here's a possible explanation in the form of a question:

Is it because everything we put online can be seen by everybody? Instant pride growth has its consequences.  When our pride grows we have more pride to defend...therefore we get more defensive.  When we get more defensive, we pretty much are easily offended therefore...you do the math.

It's natural; think of people that are more aggressive when they are behind the wheel of a car.  The same strange law applies to the people are more confident with a keyboard in their lap.  Inflections in their voice cannot be heard.  They never stutter or stammer in the chat room.  They have time to think before and after each witty response.  Do you know people in your life who have more intellectual "text" conversations with you versus "voice" conversations?  Do you know people in your life who has had a relationship destroyed because of a Facebook interaction?

We live in a day and age where we can create our own stage to be seen by the world...the Internet.  Anyone with a computer is capable of creating their own website, Facebook page, twitter account, or a blog site like the one you are reading now.  Anyone is capable of putting their opinion out there and the more you do it, the more opportunity you are giving anyone else a chance to disagree.  How you handle the disagreement will say a lot about your "online maturity."

You can't freak out when people disagree with you nor feel the need to "over-defend" your original position. Grow some thick skin. The more shit you put out there, the more shit you'll have to defend. More importantly think of it this way, the more shit you put out there, the more shit you are RESPONSIBLE for. The video below proves my point.

What happend to the Nephew in the video above is like the equivalent of you screaming out profanities and giving the finger in a fit of road rage only to be busted by your Boss who happend to be in the car behind you.  You can only be protected by your car for so long.  You can only hide behind your keyboard for so long.  Some conflicts aren't truly over unless they are concluded face-to-face.

When your online identity and your true identity collide, will they be idenical?  You should always keep your ego under control...and that not only applies to your online identity.  You are more than welcome to argue with me by clicking the COMMENTS button below.