MaineToday Media CEO Richard Connor said what was aimed as a public forum for civil discourse devolved into "a forum for vile, crude, insensitive, and vicious postings." In his words, "No story subject seems safe from hurtful and vulgar comments."
It's nice (in a way) to know that it's not just here ... although I sort of knew that already. Anonymity seems to bring out the worst in people. I'm sure there's some kind of cultural phenomenon aspect to this that I could ramble on about, but I won't.
This time.
1 comment:
Hi,
The classic law was noted by a man named Godwin.
"As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law
Of course the upside of anon discussions can be very valuable. We have to put up with the chaff that goes along with it.
But i have always been a fan of this quote.
"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain
I am a fan of people making foolish comments. It makes it easier to determine if the rest of their thoughts are worth paying attention to.
thanks,
sds
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