When I was in college I studied communication and my senior paper was an analysis of the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal social skills.  I am coming to the realization that the Internet is not only having a negative impact on social interaction but is also breeding a new generation of inconsiderate pricks.  As a long time Internet user I have long been aware of the opinionated and confrontation nature of news groups and forums and how they can escalate into “flame wars”. However, I have seen a large increase in the negative attitudes people display in these online forums.

It seems that I can’t read a thread in a forum or mailing list in which someone doesn’t call another subscriber “stupid” or make some other insult.  Has the anonymous nature of such communities nurtured our ability to be insulting?  I believe that when people begin to express such behaviors regularly in online situations that behavior has the ability to carry over into real life situations.  Does this lead us down the path to a violent society?   I certainly hope not.  While I do see an increase in “attitude” in people, I don’t necessarily believe that this carries over into physical confrontation.  However, that is a potential future if such behaviors continue.  Why can’t we all be civil to each other and be accepting of people who don’t understand something and try to rationally explain it to them rather than call them an idiot?

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