Internet behaviour

I have noticed that people seem rather more likely to...well, be a little more insulting and rather less civil when online than they would be in real life (or at least, from what I've observed of human behaviour). I think this is probably due to having an anonymous persona, with actions having fewer consequences than they would in the real world.

I do find it a little depressing, since it reveals a lot about people's inner natures.

My question is...have you noticed this as well? Do you find that you're more likely to lash out at people on the Internet than in real life? And if so, do you try to stop yourself? I know I try - if I have a snarky or negative remark, I usually do stop myself before I type it out and click "submit", since this isn't the image I want to project of myself.

I only am a bigger dick online than IRL, because here if I am participating in a discussion and an idiot walks in (this often happens on this site), I'm going to be just as blunt. I'm not going to hesitate to be a dick if I was having a discussion IRL and somebody says something so damn stupid.

I try my best not too be more...quick to say anything here as I do in real life.
I don't stand up for myself, but here, I usually don't hesitate to.

I always say whats on my mind, be it online or otherwise. So basically with me, what you see is the real me. I am pretty blunt in real life, to the point where some people are either really put off or really envious. I do notice people are more apt to being jerks online while thats not really how they are in real life. I feel thats a little depressing since like, who's the real person there? The jerk? Or the nice guy?

I made a thread about a similar matter.
But people are apparently so beyond caring that I'm not even gonna bother.
Some people act different online. That's just that, really.

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

I made a thread about a similar matter.
But people are apparently so beyond caring that I'm not even gonna bother.

You did? Which one was it? I can't seem to remember it.

I'm usually not that harsh on people IRL or online. I'm just louder online, and unless I'm in bad mood, I won't insult people too much.

Originally Posted by Astarael

You did? Which one was it? I can't seem to remember it.

The one about taking things on the Internet too seriously, and how I personally just exaggerate my actual opinion to absurd levels. That's the only way I really act different online.

And then you have to realize that people act differently in different situations throughout the day, too, it's not just online and off. It's everywhere. Being online is just yet another situation where change in facade may occur.

Originally Posted by Astarael

Do you find that you're more likely to lash out at people on the Internet than in real life?

Actually I prefer lashing out in real life. I want to the person that I'm angry with to hear to me, see me, and (sometimes) feel my fist. It makes a bigger (and better I guess) impression.
I'm kind of violent :/

Eh, I think I'm generally more explosive/harsh in the real world to be honest, especially since people don't generally take me seriously. Everyone is so touchy on the internet and by the end of the day, I'm not usually angry enough to even want to take it out on anyone/deal with it. Unless someone really hits a nerve or I'm in an extremely foul mood. Then it's on.

Originally Posted by Tonchiki

The one about taking things on the Internet too seriously, and how I personally just exaggerate my actual opinion to absurd levels. That's the only way I really act different online.

And then you have to realize that people act differently in different situations throughout the day, too, it's not just online and off. It's everywhere. Being online is just yet another situation where change in facade may occur.

Ahhhh, that one.

I'm kind of aiming for a different angle with this thread...rather, instead of just being more likely to misunderstand or misinterpret sarcasm or hyperbolic humour, do you think people are more likely to react negatively or more insultingly when online?

I do think you're right in that people will change their behaviour somewhat depending on the situation, even in real life. It does make me a little sad though how online (with anonymity and few consequences), the general trend seems to be that people become less civil (from what I've seen, anyway).

Originally Posted by Astarael

Ahhhh, that one.

I'm kind of aiming for a different angle with this thread...rather, instead of just being more likely to misunderstand or misinterpret sarcasm or hyperbolic humour, do you think people are more likely to react negatively or more insultingly when online?

I do think you're right in that people will change their behaviour somewhat depending on the situation, even in real life. It does make me a little sad though how online (with anonymity and few consequences), the general trend seems to be that people become less civil.

In that case, I'd say big yes, in gener---
actually, no, you know what, I've seen people react negatively to stupid things offline too.
So I'm not even sure.

u all need to get a life
just give me ur adress ill kill u

Hm... I still think that the rudest thing I ever said to somebody was in real life, but I am a lot more aggressive on the internet.

But I do agree that this is oftentimes taken to an extreme - people on the internet start acting like the others don't have any feelings at all. Take a certain recent instance on this forum for example...

Originally Posted by GK: 5895/9999

u all need to get a life
just give me ur adress ill kill u

this is me, i'd like to see u try sumthing. i know judo and kendo, as i learned it from a con i went to.

it's thanks to Internet anonymity. People are more willing to be mean people when they don't have to look anyone in the eye or permanently tarnish their reputation.

Well, where I live, lashing out is a common thing. So, no. I am not likely to lash out on the internet at all, but in real life, yes.

I do notice a change in behavior in people online—and it gets me wondering what their motive is (let it be the anonymous factor or something else).

Originally Posted by Envy

Hm... I still think that the rudest thing I ever said to somebody was in real life, but I am a lot more aggressive on the internet.

But I do agree that this is oftentimes taken to an extreme - people on the internet start acting like the others don't have any feelings at all. Take a certain recent instance on this forum for example...

Yeah, I think sometimes we view people on the Internet as little more than usernames without feelings because we don't what they look like or act like in real life sometimes.

I reckon I'm just as big of a **** in real life as I am on the Internet.

Definitely, it's just a form of expressionism really. It's easy to do so I don't see why not.