Arguing on the webernet

To me the only difference between arguing IRL and doing it over the computer are a) I have references to make my points with on hand, b) I don't have to deal with my stuttering that pops up when I'm stressed and c) I don't have to fear it coming to blows.

However just because it's over the internet I don't feel it makes anyones concerns any less valid, poignant or real. This is still real human interaction, its just not face to face.

It's fun as peas too.

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There's a HUGE difference between arguing in real life and online. Or disagreeing or discussing or whatever you want to call it.

This is what happens online. You take a complicated topic. Person A expresses an opinion about it and Person B disagrees strongly, and tells Person A why B's opinion is better. Person A takes 10% of what B said and argues only on that point, ignoring the rest of the arguments. In real life, you would say, "Let's leave point Z out of it for now. What about A-Y?" Online, they can far more easily ignore you or your rebuttals than they can in real life.

I occasionally get dragged into an online argument, but usually nowadays I have enough sense to stay out of them. Otherwise I turn into this:

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To me the only difference between arguing IRL and doing it over the computer are a) I have references to make my points with on hand, b) I don't have to deal with my stuttering that pops up when I'm stressed and c) I don't have to fear it coming to blows.

However just because it's over the internet I don't feel it makes anyones concerns any less valid, poignant or real. This is still real human interaction, its just not face to face.

It's fun as peas too.

People do not argue IRL, any where near the extent they do on the Internet, in my life experience. It's the anonymity that provokes *kitten*-like behavior and over-the-top incessant point-making.

If you want to test my theory, have a huge MFP get-together and make friends with a ton of these people. Soon, you'll find that you pretty much stop with the barking.

Maybe 78% of people don't argue like this "IRL" - but from where I'm standing your barking sounds alot like meowing

show previous quotes

To me the only difference between arguing IRL and doing it over the computer are a) I have references to make my points with on hand, b) I don't have to deal with my stuttering that pops up when I'm stressed and c) I don't have to fear it coming to blows.

However just because it's over the internet I don't feel it makes anyones concerns any less valid, poignant or real. This is still real human interaction, its just not face to face.

It's fun as peas too.

People do not argue IRL, any where near the extent they do on the Internet, in my life experience. It's the anonymity that provokes *kitten*-like behavior and over-the-top incessant point-making.

If you want to test my theory, have a huge MFP get-together and make friends with a ton of these people. Soon, you'll find that you pretty much stop with the barking.

Why are you trying to argue this?

shut up

Some good points raised already.

Another contributing factor is body language and tone of voice.
In real life, it's possible to disagree without being aggressive, and to have a civil discussion, despite having different viewpoints.

On the internet, because you cannot see the other person, or hear their tone, you miss the soft cues as to how they intend a point to come across, and most people instinctively assume a disagreeing response as some kind of aggressive act and escalate their reply accordingly, until it is well and truly out of hand.

Some good points raised already.

Another contributing factor is body language and tone of voice.
In real life, it's possible to disagree without being aggressive, and to have a civil discussion, despite having different viewpoints.

On the internet, because you cannot see the other person, or hear their tone, you miss the soft cues as to how they intend a point to come across, and most people instinctively assume a disagreeing response as some kind of aggressive act and escalate their reply accordingly, until it is well and truly out of hand.

YOU ARE WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!









I would call you out but you're too close so might actually turn up.

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To me the only difference between arguing IRL and doing it over the computer are a) I have references to make my points with on hand

Yep. It's annoying arguing down the pub.

"Cows have 5 legs."
"No, they don't."
"Yes, they do, I saw a whole herd of them yesterday. At least 4,000. I asked the farmer and he said most cows do have 5 legs."

Alright Dave?

:laugh:

It's not the webernet. It's the interwebz. Everyone knows that.

Is there any peer reviewed research to prove this?

Because everybody is a troll on the internet. Can you imagine what it would be like if we weren't?

Person A: I only ate 1000 calories today and I'm hungry!
Person B: You go!
Person C: Eat some mud and fill yourself up.
Person Some great ideas on here. You guys rock.
Person E: Here's a cat gif.

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Is there any peer reviewed research about the psychology of people that argue on Internet forums?

Just curious.

Since I'm a "know-it-all," that's my excuse. I have several corners of the internet where a debate will last for days, or even weeks.

Usually about religion.

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To me the only difference between arguing IRL and doing it over the computer are a) I have references to make my points with on hand, b) I don't have to deal with my stuttering that pops up when I'm stressed and c) I don't have to fear it coming to blows.

However just because it's over the internet I don't feel it makes anyones concerns any less valid, poignant or real. This is still real human interaction, its just not face to face.

It's fun as peas too.

People do not argue IRL, any where near the extent they do on the Internet, in my life experience. It's the anonymity that provokes *kitten*-like behavior and over-the-top incessant point-making.

If you want to test my theory, have a huge MFP get-together and make friends with a ton of these people. Soon, you'll find that you pretty much stop with the barking.

Maybe 78% of people don't argue like this "IRL" - but from where I'm standing your barking sounds alot like meowing

Probably because of all the cat gifs.

no

no

YES.