Why the internet can make us so aggressive
 

Having myself stuck my foot in my mouth (or on my fingers, as the case may be) online, I thought this NYTimes article was very interesting:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/20/he...ce&oref=slogin

I loved learning some of why internet stuff can get so heated so fast. And a big apology to anyone's feelings I may have stomped on at any point... my orbitofrontal cortex wasn't watching my amygdala!

I just read the article on the other thread...fascinating...and so true.
The absence of any real consequences for ugly words can make things get really out of hand...and the inability to judge another's tone means it's hard to gauge emotions online...thanks for posting nicole

I (literally) watched an 8-year friendship between two friends of mine end all via email. If one of them had just been willing to pick up the phone...

Of course, why they both felt the need to CC me on all the emails will forever be a mystery, as I prefer my drama onstage and onscreen where it doesn't give me ulcers.

Ummm, there are a number of people on here who about as arrogant and prick like as it comes. Would they be this way in person? I highly doubt it.

Because their orbitofrontal cortexes are busy telling their amygdalas to play nice!

Well, that and it's hard to punch someone from seven states away.

I'm so pleased I retained "orbitofrontal cortex" and "amygdala" from that article that I think I'll go have a drink and kill off the brain cells currently responsible for remembering that.

Wait a minute! Was that directed at me????

If you have to ask, it's not you.

Okay. 'Cause my amygdala gets outta control sometimes.

Nicole, I'm not sure we can be referred to as pricks. :D

Bitches, maybe... haha. :p

I fall into the Bitch category...

I can't wait to read this, as soon as it will open

yup, guilty as charged. fun read and is dead on.

Well, he didn't say "prick;" he said, "prick-like" so I figured I could still fall into that category. :)

I myself tend to employ the relatively gender-neutral "a*shole," since we've all got one. And I have been known to be one.

This is indeed interesting. I think it also depends on what an individual actually hopes to gain out of being a part of a message board like this. I really want information and to get a feeling for how other people think. So I often times start with a strong statement that I know will start discussion that I can learn from.

If I tried to do the same face to face I would try and accomplish the task of learning in a completely different manner. People that know me actually think I am one of the most amiable, level-headed people they have met (dont mean to brag, but ya kinda have to be to survive and enjoy teaching for as long as I have). This is why I have vowed to meet the posters on this site at some racing venue in the future. I will right any wrong I have done (whilst trying to provoke arguements so that I can learn).

Bless me Father for I have sinned.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!

It reminds me of the Jay and Silent Bob movie....where they are out to hunt down people who dissed them on internet boards.