Here on ATOT, we often forget that the person behind the keyboard is not guaranteed to have any attributes other than:
1. Have access to a computer with internet access
2. Be able to type keys in a semi-reasonable order so as to produce English-resembling sentences
Beyond that, who knows what you're dealing with. Yet everyone is assigned an avatar and a user name as though all users were created equal.
When we get into logical debates around here (see: Richard Dawkins flaming), reasonable people often find themselves pitted against unknown entities on the other side of the monitor who type unreasonable things.
The reasonable entities then get hot under the collar in disbelief over what the unreasonable entities are typing.
Ladies and gentlemen, here's the shocker:
The irrational folks who insist on posting flames, irrational and uninformed responses, poorly constructed sentences, and utter garbage are LITTLE KIDS.
I think we have made the mistake as adults of forgetting that when we're online, we're often dealing with little kids.
No one in their right mind would have an argument over Richard Dawkin's work with a 12-year-old in real life. You'd look foolish.
I propose that we don't do it online either. Don't give folks the benefit of the doubt. If they make irrational posts, if they don't read your replies, if they can't form a sentence: you're dealing with a little kid.
What do you do to little kids who do annoying things? Ignore them. Or say, "Yes, that's very nice."
If we stop "feeding the trolls" (little kids), maybe they'll go away or at least post less. I think it'll make this place better for everyone.
1. Have access to a computer with internet access
2. Be able to type keys in a semi-reasonable order so as to produce English-resembling sentences
Beyond that, who knows what you're dealing with. Yet everyone is assigned an avatar and a user name as though all users were created equal.
When we get into logical debates around here (see: Richard Dawkins flaming), reasonable people often find themselves pitted against unknown entities on the other side of the monitor who type unreasonable things.
The reasonable entities then get hot under the collar in disbelief over what the unreasonable entities are typing.
Ladies and gentlemen, here's the shocker:
The irrational folks who insist on posting flames, irrational and uninformed responses, poorly constructed sentences, and utter garbage are LITTLE KIDS.
I think we have made the mistake as adults of forgetting that when we're online, we're often dealing with little kids.
No one in their right mind would have an argument over Richard Dawkin's work with a 12-year-old in real life. You'd look foolish.
I propose that we don't do it online either. Don't give folks the benefit of the doubt. If they make irrational posts, if they don't read your replies, if they can't form a sentence: you're dealing with a little kid.
What do you do to little kids who do annoying things? Ignore them. Or say, "Yes, that's very nice."
If we stop "feeding the trolls" (little kids), maybe they'll go away or at least post less. I think it'll make this place better for everyone.
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