Internet and Online spaces seem DIFFERENT today than several years ago

[Dude111]

Does anyone else notice this?

Ya used to be able to have in depth conversations with people about videos,movies,random topics,etc.... But it seems like nowadays if you comment on a video or reply to someone elses comment,it gets totally IGNORED,or if someone DOES reply,its just with a 2 or 3 word reply and if you reply further,you get NOTHING back from them!

Its like everyone seems so....emotionless or something... I swear most people have been reprogrammed!!

I will say on this site,people still seem real...Im talking mainly on social media platforms and things like that...

Just like in real life... People are unfriendly and mean..

Welcome to the evil world I guess

[Stephen]

Comments on videos etc are just that. They aren't the place for full blown chat or conversation.

People also don't have time or the attention span either these days.

[mrmistoffelees]

Do we need the ‘show me where you were hurt teddy’ ?

If you’re perturbed because someone doesn’t reply or you don’t like the brevity/content of their reply then I’d suggest going outside and engaging in real life

[idi banashapan]

I get what you are saying Dude111 and agree.

People have always been a darker personality on the internet than in real life. Social media, in the sense on the quick-drop messaging platforms, it's defnitely worse. However, it does happen elsewhere too.

The anonymity behind the avatar or the alias enables people to feel like they can lend a more brutal, 'I don't care what you thnk' approach when conversing. People feel they can type and post things they certainly wouldn't say to people's faces. It's far harder to be rude to somene to their face. It's the same principle used when if you think someone is going to be rude, belittle you or rubbish your performance in a work meeting - sit next to them. It's way harder to be abusive to someone sat next to you, than across the table where there is a physical divide to add psychological protection.

Of course, this doesn't mean everyone does behave in that way - some people act on that feeling, some don't. There has (historically at least), been no consequence for what people say on the internet. Effectively, it's been a protected environment for the perpetrators, but not the recipient.

There is also a noticable shift in those who grew up as the internet became a thing, and those who grew up with the internet fully fledged. Some people (my eperience would suggest those of around 35 and up) remain believing any forum should be treated as any other conversation; be civil, polite and respectful. Many others however (and my experience is that mostly, this is people early 30s and under), believe you can still be rude, dismissive, outright horrid to others, and that it is perfectly acceptable.

Of course, there are always exceptions, and so a teenage could remain polite and a 50 year old could be rude as hell. Any many will have started out one way and turned to the other, also. And whilst we can see all of these traits in face to face conversations as well, the prevalence of rudeness, I would agree, is far higher in the internet now than it was, and certainly more common that if you were to talk to someone in a restaurant.

Commenting online has become a throw-away passtime for most people. Those decent, in-depth conversations are very hard to come by these days. There's abig difference even here compared to 15-20 years ago. This site used to be full of fully-bown conversations. A barage of ideas, opinions and thoughts. Often, they were explored and questioned. Now, I often feel that if you say something someone doesn't like, or you simply disagree, it cna be taken as a personal insult and they become triggered. Of course, this is not always. And again, in my experience, Chris has always been really good at showing another side to a conversation in a courteous and polite manner. there are others I could mention by won't, who you simply cannot have a conversation or debate with, and often hit that verge of becoming rude.

Perhaps, as tends to be true, writing a comment online, as with sending a text or Teams message, the intent does not match the reception of the message. When reading something, so manby variables affect how that message is received; did that person have a bad day for example? Perhaps an attempt at humour can be lost. this happened to me here only the other day. I even posted what I thought was a funny fig to emphasise it was in good jest, but I got a respone that I felt (rightly or wrongly) that someone posted with negative intent.

I think you'll find that if there are enough people who have an inteet in the topic, have strong feelings or thoughts about it, and are able to express those in a civil, legitimate and eloquent manner, a good conversation or debate can be have. What I wouldn't want to see though, is everyone in there with the same views - then you ar only creating an echo chamber, utopia and back-slapping thread. I think that is just as disprutive as a lack of investment from others.

And so to that end, I would love to hear what others think. Perhaps I'm totally wrong? Perhaps I'm right but for the wrong reasons? Perhaps some agree and some do not? Who knows? Equally, in the grand scheme of things, does it even matter?

[Stephen]

No you are correct, well most of the time. I do have the occasional good interaction and conversation.

Just the other day I saw an old photo of the cinema i worked in for a while back in 2000. It eventually closed and demolished for flats. So shared some memories and info about the place I'd learnt. I got a couple of replies but one in particular was a guy who is making a documentary about the cinema and it's history having been there since the 1920s, originally as a theatre. He wanted to interview me and to use some soundbites in the film his company are creating.

But yeah most of the time these days if someone doesn't like your opinion or details you comment, you end up getting all sorts of nasty comments from being called woke to silly name calling. Usually by odd ball gun totting 'christian' Muricans.

[peanut]

I'd would only say online what I would say to people to their faces.

I'm aware or too aware of what I want to post online. I'd have to say I've probably deleted more posts than I've actually posted. With every post I feel I'm going to get mocked or belittled in one way or another. Even though that's rarely the case. And in a lot of cases I regret what I post.

[Dude111]

Im glad to see some quite lengthy replies on this thread guys

Originally Posted by Stephen

But yeah most of the time these days if someone doesn't like your opinion or details you comment, you end up getting all sorts of nasty comments from being called woke to silly name calling. Usually by odd ball gun totting 'christian' Muricans.

Yeah ya get cut down if you dont agree with everyone else...... If you have a difference of opinion they call you a trouble maker and wanna get rid of ya.... Its mean and aweful.....

Originally Posted by Stephen

People also don't have time or the attention span either these days.

No they all act like 2yo's buddy!!

Originally Posted by Dude111

Does anyone else notice this?

Nope.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by Dude111

Im glad to see some quite lengthy replies on this thread guys

Yeah ya get cut down if you dont agree with everyone else...... If you have a difference of opinion they call you a trouble maker and wanna get rid of ya.... Its mean and aweful.....

No they all act like 2yo's buddy!!

Excellent post.