Why are so many people jerks on the internet?

[chalmers]

Nice answers everyone, especially that last two (OILFIELD - lol probably the most honest answer, and Wyndru)

The sociological development of the internet fascinates me I guess, that's why I thought of this.

 

[chalmers]

I would say it's easier to act like a jerk. Acting like a jerk is all about knee-jerk reaction, lack of empathy and sense of superiority. It takes effort to think from the perspective of another and not go with your natural reaction to lash out at something you consider idiotic or offensive to your senses.

Great answer thanks.

 

[HeXen]

What about driving? how many people do you see being dicks on the road? honking, cutting you off, not signaling, driving wrechlessly..yet many of them are decent hard working people with family, friends..etc.

its definitely not just Anonymity that has any cause or effect, usually its a mood or something else caused the response, it can be a million different things for each person on any given day in life or the net.
if there was a single reason, we'd all have a cure.

 

[chalmers]

I think another part of it for me is that rude people are much easier to spot than the 30 friendly ones which comprised of 20 that lurked and didn't post anything and 10 who posted normal and it gets passed over.

 

[chalmers]

What about driving? how many people do you see being dicks on the road? honking, cutting you off, not signaling, driving wrechlessly..yet many of them are decent hard working people with family, friends..etc.

its definitely not just Anonymity that has any cause or effect, usually its a mood or something else caused the response, it can be a million different things for each person on any given day in life or the net.
if there was a single reason, we'd all have a cure.

Yeah true...I guess my question literally has infinite answers.

 

[Wyndru]

I think another part of it for me is that rude people are much easier to spot than the 30 friendly ones which comprised of 20 that lurked and didn't post anything and 10 who posted normal and it gets passed over.

That is a good point too. It does seem that being rude gets you more responses than posting a friendly or neutral post. More people notice jerks and point them out to others than the nice people. Forum notoriety I guess.

 

[darkxshade]

Another reason why the internet seem this way is because nice people don't go out of their way to be nice whereas jerks go out of their way to be jerks. So it kinda skews the perception. Good people has good manners and keep to themselves and they do that by staying relatively out of sight as to not step on any toes. Jerks will take any chance they can get to kick you when you're down. So the internet sort of amplifies that.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Its math, more people = more fucking douchenozzles.

 

[yhelothar]

Also in real life, if you think someone is a dickscarf, you could just not talk to them or include them to be a part of your life.

Online, like forums, you're often in a community where you can't really choose to just not include them in your community. They're going to be posting and you're often going to be reading their posts whether you like em or not.

 

[zinfamous]

That picture was going to be one of my obvious answers I listed in the OP.
You're describing what happens. I'm asking why.

that is why it happens.

the anonymity part. Lack of accountability.

People incorrectly think the internet is a social tool, when it is far from it. Removing oneself from the personal interaction of real social structure, most people feel falsely empowered to either say what is really on their mind, or to just let shit fly for shits and giggles.

Basically, someone who claims internet-based networks as part of their legitimate social life is probably an unsocial dickweed.

 

[God Mode]

I wish there was an okcupid type match system for message forums. I want to circle jerk with like minded people.

 

[Gothgar]

fuck off, we aren't your researchers are we?

 

[olds]

We get tired of all the douche nozzles we have to deal with everyday and we come to the internet to relax/unwind. Calling a douche nozzle a douche nozzle is relaxing.

 

[KaOTiK]

some do it simply for fun
but imo people in general are just douche bags and when you give them a way to be themselves without jeopardizing their actual real life reputation they act the way they want to act instead of the way they need to act in person

 

[rudeguy]

I'm actually nicer on here than I am in person. I'm the type that likes to stab you in the face, not in the back.

 

[Hacp]

Fuck you all. Give me your money!

 

[BoomerD]

You might be surprised at how many of us are jerks in real life as well...

 

[nanette1985]

The 3 places I see it most prevalent are:

OT forums.
Online gaming.
Comment sections of articles/youtube/etc

Obviously you don't hang out on kid-raising forums, dieting forums, miracle cure forums, how-to-survive-on-welfare forums, and so on. Those rabid breastfeeders can out-jerk your gamers any day.

I think part of the issue is that people tend to think of the internet as "theirs". It's me sitting here typing this reply. I can say what I REALLY think - I am, after all, a superior person, even if I'm sitting here in my underwear. I am the one who discovered this forum, so I have the right to tell all of you lesser persons what the truth really is.

Not much difference between "superior attitude" and "jerk".

Also, frankly, a lot of that "jerk" stuff is entertaining. C'mon guys . . .

 

[BoomerD]

Obviously you don't hang out on kid-raising forums, dieting forums, miracle cure forums, how-to-survive-on-welfare forums, and so on. Those rabid breastfeeders can out-jerk your gamers any day.

I think part of the issue is that people tend to think of the internet as "theirs". It's me sitting here typing this reply. I can say what I REALLY think - I am, after all, a superior person, even if I'm sitting here in my underwear. I am the one who discovered this forum, so I have the right to tell all of you lesser persons what the truth really is.

Not much difference between "superior attitude" and "jerk".

Also, frankly, a lot of that "jerk" stuff is entertaining. C'mon guys . . .

Got pics of you sitting there in your underwear?

 

[randay]

shut your fucking fat fingers you fat son of a bitch!

bloodpressure--

 

[mmntech]

Theres a metric shit ton of jerks in real life too. Try working in retail. People will unleash their full douchebaggery whenever they know you can't fight.

 

[Imp]

I try not to be a prick online. I only react accordingly if asstards start yelling/screaming in games because "OMFG, you aren't following my ORDERS!".

I'm going to guess that people are just assholes. In real life, if you act like an asshole, people like me will reach their breaking point. It's like the nerd who's been pushed around for too long. Then they will either key your car, trash your house, or just break your legs. Or, more passive-aggressively, make an anonymouse phone call about a rapist or stalker in the neighbourhood. Not as inhibited on the internet without social/physical consequences. Get shunned on the internet, and you make a new account, hoping no one notices.

 

[Soundmanred]

got pics of you sitting there in your underwear?

do not want.

 

[FDF12389]

The reason I am is mostly hal9000

 

[rudeguy]

The reason I am is mostly hal9000

he's not so bad. There are plenty worse on here.

Plus he can take a load like a champ.