Oh, For Fuck's Sake, People...

[shirtlifterbear]

Are there really so many days where everyone in the world is romantic and loving that having ONE where those wonderful emotions are intentionally front and center is a bad thing? I THINK NOT.

CELEBRATE LOVE.

BE TOLD!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Comments

[tzaddi-93.livejournal.com]

True, but most Easter candy is of very poor quality. In fact, I tend to refer to all sub-standard chocolate as "Easter Candy."

[shirtlifterbear.livejournal.com]

When I have folks come down from Vancouver, I beg them to bring Canadian chocolate, Land of No HFCS Choccies!

[shirtlifterbear.livejournal.com]

C, I just cannot stand it. You and I disagree every now and then about things, but we treat each other respectfully because we're friends and that's how things are done.

What is it about some people on the internet that they can't act in a fashion consistent with good manners and social graces?

I'm beginning to suspect that I am, in fact, a Belle.

I was hoping for Belle Watling, though.

[tzaddi-93.livejournal.com]

Liar! You've known for years that you are a Belle. I can see you as Belle Watling too. :)

The internet does seem like the Land that Manners Forgot most of the time. Some of it can be blamed on the fact that facial expressions and tone of voice are removed from online exchanges, resulting in misunderstandings. However, there is still a lot of intentional nastiness out there ranging from mild disrespect to frightening trolls calling for the torture, rape and/or murder of people who disagree with them (sadly not an exaggeration in the slightest.)

I think it is due to a combination of the feeling of anonymity combined with the removal of several layers of "humanity" in the communication. Whether one is actually or partially anonymous in online communication, it can feel as if the words you spew don't have a real connection with who you are in daily life and therefore don't have any real consequences for you. Also, communicating through a mechanical interface that takes away both voice and facial expression makes it easy for people to see those with whom the are communicating as less than human. The less you think of another person as human, the more you are able to do or say atrocious things to them. The very first step in any atrocity committed by people who do not have an antisocial personality disorder is dehumanization of the victim.

[shirtlifterbear.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that explained it really well!

[tzaddi-93.livejournal.com]

I've watched it unfold on quite a few of the blogs I follow. You see enough repetition, the pattern emerges.