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.

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.

That is your experience. I was at a Big Ten school honors program where arguing (healthy discussion, mind you) and debate was literally every day of my four years. I also grew up in an Italian/Irish household, but that's an entirely different sort of arguing.

no

YES.

Listen to the Crank!!

9.9!!! love the glasses!!!

WOULD BANG.

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

Just curious.

Yeah, they're dilholes.











Note to Mods and anyone thinking of reporting me: This is a joke.

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

Just curious.

WHAT'S IT TO 'YA !?!?

My mother disagreed with me once........




once.



(edited to correct the quote lol)

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It's a bit like me when I'm driving. I own the road when I am in my car, if someone beeps at me because they're impatient, I'll make them wait. If they're driving up my butt, I'll drive extra slow. I feel nothing when I encounter rude people on the roads. But if that had to happen in the streets, or if we were in the office, I think I'd try be polite about it.

Although someone walking right up my butt might be a bit weird anyway....

:laugh:

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."

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.

Precisely why I love these forums...:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :bigsmile:

I cant even believe how wrong all you people are.... Who wants some????

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.

you forgot your gif....here,...I got yer back.

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.

Or politics.



I argue much more on the internet... and I like it... why? Because people put their opinions out there much more often on the internet than they do in real life.... I like it because it gives me something to do and even think about (depending on the argument). Now that I don't have social science type classes to discuss and argue my opinions in my brain is going to mush otherwise... Also I can put my opinion out there much more eloquently than when I'm saying it out loud.

Starting a thread provoking fighting about how you don't like fighting on the internet. Oxymoron what?

Not to start a fight . . . but I believe it is the Interweb.

Almost....

Teh Interweb.

Example: Co-worker loses a bunch of weight.

i comment about it. congrats and all that. then ask, how?

she says, "i never eat carbs after 7pm."

i congratulate and walk away, think, "what a fu^king idiot."

on the internet, i'd just say, 'you are an idiot"

I'm back! Cus peas and all that.

First, using the person's personality or appearance or intelligence to devalue their argument is a logical fallacy. It's also going to take things into the 'useless' territory on a fast-track because if you're insulting them...they're probably going to feel insulted, and well therefore be less receptive to any further points you make.

So no, name-calling off the bat if I actually WANT to make a valid point and possibly even educate them providing I have resources to back up my claims, regardless of if it's internet or IRL. Likewise why bother limiting yourself to the internet?

If you feel your point is valid and there is, well, a POINT to speaking it (for example they may not be eating carbs after 7 but the rest of their diet is also extremely limited and verging on unhealthy. Educating them, or helping to do so, could mean the difference between poor and bad health...and less sick days they pull you in to cover) then speak it. Communication is a wonderful amazing thing.
If you don't feel ready to speak it off the bat, do some research to back yourself up and approach them, voice some concern about how their diet may be hurting them and you just wanna see them do okay, and if you can't recall everything about what you read to back yourself up, give them the gist and hand off the links.

Difficulty level-0, non-confrontational and educational. Huzzah.

However if they insist on being an asshat let them go fly free~! Unless you feel like taking it even further.

And seriously if I see someone telling someone else to go kill themselves or some bull**** like that I'm getting in there. That ****s DANGEROUS and has contributed to the deaths of too many kids over the years.