3 ms·

Internet mobs is a horrible phenomenon. Internet was supposed to enable sharing of culture and better the understanding of each other. Instead we get these grou

by zimbatm 13y ago

Internet mobs is a horrible phenomenon. Internet was supposed to enable sharing of culture and better the understanding of each other. Instead we get these groups of people who spit bile at a target and just make things worse overall. How ironic that one of the people who helped create this system now gets pushed aside. The thing is that it works. I read some hate-inducing title and start to get worked up. My judgement is clouded and I might post some more inflammatory content. What is it that makes me react that way ? Every time I do it I don't even feel good after that. This primal instinct has come up and I feel stupid, angry and ashamed. Where did the noble sentiments like compassion and tolerance go ? I wish there was an antidote, peace-inducing titles to balance this out.

sehr 13y ago
My judgement is clouded and I might post some more inflammatory content. What is it that makes me react that way ? Every time I do it I don't even feel good after that. Has anyone experimented with meditation/mindfulness here? I imagine constantly being aware of your reactions and moods would help in situations like this. And in regards to that, are there any studies on mob mentality in western vs eastern cultures? Or am I just barking down a pseudoscience rabbit hole
dalke 13y ago
Do you support that people can boycott and picket? If so, what makes this "internet mob" different from an "internet boycott and picket? If not, why do think real-world rights of speech and association don't translate to the internet?
- zimbatm 13y ago
  My observation is that it's hard to talk freely in that kind of environment. Anything that you say is scrutinized and analyzed and becomes "proof" that you're in one camp or another. Internet seem to make the issue worse because you only have textual cues and everything is recorded for a long time. It's also easy to forget that on the other side you have a real person reading your message. My issue is not that people protest. Society at large evolves and mentality change because some courageous people elevated their voices and raised opinions that at the time weren't popular. When people promote gay rights I believe the inherent goal is acceptance and better understanding of each-other. I don't see that happening here. I don't see people reaching for each other, in fact each camp gets entrenched because of all the hate. Discussions become irrational. I understand why but it makes me sad.
  - dalke 13y ago
    You don't have an issue with people protesting, but you do have an issue with internet mobs. How then do people protest en mass on the internet and boycott without being labeled an internet mob? Only if all sides reach for each other? If that's the case, then what happens when one side doesn't do enough reaching? When do you place the blame more on one side, instead of apportioning blame equally across all participants? Since that's what I think you're doing.
    - zimbatm 13y ago
      I think my previous posts already cover what I'm trying to say. I don't really want to engage into a confrontational rhetoric.
      - dalke 13y ago
        I'm sorry. I'm trying really hard to figure out when boycotts and picketing, which I support as free speech and free association rights, can appropriately be called a "mob." Despite asking people - you and several others - who have used "mob", "witch hunt", "bullying", and similar terms, no one has been willing to clarify that for me. I also apologize for my confrontational rhetoric. I don't know any way to question one's choice of vocabulary without sounding confrontational.
        zimbatm 13y ago
        Thanks for reaching back to me. I didn't study sociology so take this with a grain of salt. I think the difference is in motivation and group dynamics. An angry mob is motivated by fear or anger and doesn't think rationally. It's generally dangerous for both the actors in the group and the target. Also everyone can become part of a mob as it taps into our basic instinct. I think that a mob is formed when a critical mass of anger or fear is formed and resolved once the danger disappears. This is in contrast with a protest. In a protest you're trying to promote an idea and in that sense you will try to advocate, talk to people and expose your point of view in the hope that they will adopt it. You still have a group of people but who are motivated by solving a specific cause. More noble sentiments are at play like compassion and respect. A good example of that would be advocacy of free speech. It's entirely possible that you're seeing something different happening here. I felt anger transpiring trough the posts I was reading. My first post was equally a reaction to that and to other similar events that I saw happening in the past.

by zimbatm 13y ago

sehr 13y ago

My judgement is clouded and I might post some more inflammatory content. What is it that makes me react that way ? Every time I do it I don't even feel good after that. Has anyone experimented with meditation/mindfulness here? I imagine constantly being aware of your reactions and moods would help in situations like this. And in regards to that, are there any studies on mob mentality in western vs eastern cultures? Or am I just barking down a pseudoscience rabbit hole

dalke 13y ago

Do you support that people can boycott and picket? If so, what makes this "internet mob" different from an "internet boycott and picket? If not, why do think real-world rights of speech and association don't translate to the internet?

zimbatm 13y ago
My observation is that it's hard to talk freely in that kind of environment. Anything that you say is scrutinized and analyzed and becomes "proof" that you're in one camp or another. Internet seem to make the issue worse because you only have textual cues and everything is recorded for a long time. It's also easy to forget that on the other side you have a real person reading your message. My issue is not that people protest. Society at large evolves and mentality change because some courageous people elevated their voices and raised opinions that at the time weren't popular. When people promote gay rights I believe the inherent goal is acceptance and better understanding of each-other. I don't see that happening here. I don't see people reaching for each other, in fact each camp gets entrenched because of all the hate. Discussions become irrational. I understand why but it makes me sad.
- dalke 13y ago
  You don't have an issue with people protesting, but you do have an issue with internet mobs. How then do people protest en mass on the internet and boycott without being labeled an internet mob? Only if all sides reach for each other? If that's the case, then what happens when one side doesn't do enough reaching? When do you place the blame more on one side, instead of apportioning blame equally across all participants? Since that's what I think you're doing.
  - zimbatm 13y ago
    I think my previous posts already cover what I'm trying to say. I don't really want to engage into a confrontational rhetoric.
    - dalke 13y ago
      I'm sorry. I'm trying really hard to figure out when boycotts and picketing, which I support as free speech and free association rights, can appropriately be called a "mob." Despite asking people - you and several others - who have used "mob", "witch hunt", "bullying", and similar terms, no one has been willing to clarify that for me. I also apologize for my confrontational rhetoric. I don't know any way to question one's choice of vocabulary without sounding confrontational.
      - zimbatm 13y ago
        Thanks for reaching back to me. I didn't study sociology so take this with a grain of salt. I think the difference is in motivation and group dynamics. An angry mob is motivated by fear or anger and doesn't think rationally. It's generally dangerous for both the actors in the group and the target. Also everyone can become part of a mob as it taps into our basic instinct. I think that a mob is formed when a critical mass of anger or fear is formed and resolved once the danger disappears. This is in contrast with a protest. In a protest you're trying to promote an idea and in that sense you will try to advocate, talk to people and expose your point of view in the hope that they will adopt it. You still have a group of people but who are motivated by solving a specific cause. More noble sentiments are at play like compassion and respect. A good example of that would be advocacy of free speech. It's entirely possible that you're seeing something different happening here. I felt anger transpiring trough the posts I was reading. My first post was equally a reaction to that and to other similar events that I saw happening in the past.