the mob mentality - not very attractive

[auntpolly]

I guess it's pretty obvious that this is one of my huge pet peeves.

I know, I know, "If you post on the internet you have to expect all kinds of comments" and "blah, blah, blah". But in real life, if a person in my group had friends makes a catty or maybe not so nice observation, (for example, a few nights ago, one of mine made a sort of funny but not so nice crack about moms or the "gifted" kids - not all of them, just the ones that go around advertising they have them) we might laugh (to be perfectly honest, we might, we're not perfect) or we might say, "Hey, that's not fair!" or we might gently remind each other that those people are really quite nice.

We don't call the person who said it names or start ganging up on her and belittling her and acting like she's satan's spawn. We don't spend the next day and a half reminding her of the stupid thing she said tell everyone we know so they can come over and smack her too.

Yeah, you just jumped on to a pile of people who are pummeling the person with the unpopular opinion so you can get a few cheap shots in yourself- wow, you're quite the hero!

 

[MushyMushy]

I agree with you when it comes to slinging insults, but there are a lot of times when a person cries foul when people are simply disagreeing with them. I don't see anything wrong with a whole group of people disagreeing, except when it crosses the line.

 

[Tinijocaro]

by answering your post, am I getting in on the mob mentality?

I must agree- I'm shocked at how people JUMP and STOMP on people for the smallest of things- one after the other. Probably people who would never dare act that way in real life.

 

[JunieJay]

The pile-on is one of my pet peeves too, Aunt Polly.

Although last week someone posted something where there were 10 pages of people screaming at them and I couldn't help myself and screamed too. I usually try and refrain tho.

 

[Kitty 34]

Good morning AuntPolly!

My opinion, this morning is: The internet has certainly made it easier to desensitize sensitivity.

 

[auntpolly]

I agree with you when it comes to slinging insults, but there are a lot of times when a person cries foul when people are simply disagreeing with them. I don't see anything wrong with a whole group of people disagreeing, except when it crosses the line.

Yeah, but sometimes they cry foul for a good reason -- people start putting words in their mouth and saying, "but you said..."

I love it when you prove you didn't say what they claimed you said and then the person comes back with, "But I felt that's what you meant!" (who are they, the amazing kreskin?)

 

[auntpolly]

Good morning AuntPolly!

My opinion, this morning is: The internet has certainly made it easier to desensitize sensitivity.

Good morning Kitty! You are right and that makes me really sad.

 

[auntpolly]

The pile-on is one of my pet peeves too, Aunt Polly.

Although last week someone posted something where there were 10 pages of people screaming at them and I couldn't help myself and screamed too. I usually try and refrain tho.

I'll bet you didn't try to humiliate them though - can't imagine that! I think it's perfectly fine to disagree strongly with people.

 

[Kitty 34]

Good morning Kitty! You are right and that makes me really sad.

me, too.


Off I go now to teach my 6th graders.......now that's mob mentality!!!!

 

[auntpolly]

me, too.


Off I go now to teach my 6th graders.......now that's mob mentality!!!!

Have fun! But really, I think kids get this stuff from their parents, either that or there are a bunch of 6th graders posing as adults on the DIS!

 

[JunieJay]

I think you have to consider what makes a person who regularly participates in a pile-on act in such a manner. My experience having met a few of these types first hand is their internet bark is a lot worse than their real life bite. Maybe the anonymity offers them a chance to let out their frustrations. Ya gotta feel bad for someone like that when you really consider it. After all, most of us don't really know each other and probably will never know each other. When you consider that, the pile-on becomes just pixels on a screen, it means nothing and should carry no real weight. What matters are the people you know in real life, the way you interact with your loved ones - its their opinions that matter, not strangers on an internet board.

 

[auntpolly]

I think you have to consider what makes a person who regularly participates in a pile-on act in such a manner. My experience having met a few of these types first hand is their internet bark is a lot worse than their real life bite. Maybe the anonymity offers them a chance to let out their frustrations. Ya gotta feel bad for someone like that when you really consider it. After all, most of us don't really know each other and probably will never know each other. When you consider that, the pile-on becomes just pixels on a screen, it means nothing and should carry no real weight. What matters are the people you know in real life, the way you interact with your loved ones - its their opinions that matter, not strangers on an internet board.

You are absolutely right -- in the spirit of Christmas, if for no other reason, I just wish people would think about the real feelings they are hurting.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I know, and I agree. I don't get much pleasure from stomping on someone, in real life or on the internet!

 

[Tazicket]

I think you have to consider what makes a person who regularly participates in a pile-on act in such a manner. My experience having met a few of these types first hand is their internet bark is a lot worse than their real life bite. Maybe the anonymity offers them a chance to let out their frustrations. Ya gotta feel bad for someone like that when you really consider it. After all, most of us don't really know each other and probably will never know each other. When you consider that, the pile-on becomes just pixels on a screen, it means nothing and should carry no real weight. What matters are the people you know in real life, the way you interact with your loved ones - its their opinions that matter, not strangers on an internet board.

What a great post! I agree with this wholeheartedly. It's a lot easier to be a jerk to somebody you can't see than it is to do it in person. Somehow, the people making the posts become less than people to those who read the posts. It's easy to forget that the person who typed out those words is actually a person.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Ummm, ok, Merry Christmas

 

[auntpolly]

Ummm, ok, Merry Christmas

Aren't you going to wish me gay and glad tidings??

(I'm already feeling pretty merry today -- I like that guy who said we all need to start using "merry" more, for everything. It really is an underused word!)

 

[Bob Slydell]

Aren't you going to wish me gay and glad tidings??

Sure, you got it

 

[Maleficent13]

Don't you think there are some who *ask* for the pile-on? I mean, I've seen some threads started lately where I know the OP knew exactly what he/she was asking for by starting it. Now, I try to ignore those threads, because I don't want to give them the reaction they're obviously begging for, but I don't blame those who get so worked up that they have to say something.

My personal opinion is, most of the people here are good hearted, and we all have our hot button issues, which are all different. Some people feel compelled to speak out about certain things. Being the large community we are, it doesn't surprise me that there would be many people with the same opinions.

I don't know...just random musings. Merry Christmas!

 

[auntpolly]

Don't you think there are some who *ask* for the pile-on?

Yeah, probably, but still, that pales in comparison with those who won't be happy until they've tortured a person until they leave the playground crying.

But whatever, I got my little vent out of my system this morning and I'm feeling quite merry and gay, and so, God rest ye merry ladies and gentlemen round yon virgin!

 

[punkin]

Don't you think there are some who *ask* for the pile-on? I mean, I've seen some threads started lately where I know the OP knew exactly what he/she was asking for by starting it. Now, I try to ignore those threads, because I don't want to give them the reaction they're obviously begging for, but I don't blame those who get so worked up that they have to say something.

YUP!
Stirring the pot seems to be some people's main entertainment around here.
Usually I ignore it, bu some pot-stirrers just happen to hit my buttons and I can't help myself. I just have to keep reminding myself that the DELETE key is my friend.