Insulting a user because their opinion differs?

LighterGuy

I guess this is a random thread
But its something I have seen time and time again on here and quite recently tonight in a thread I was viewing (I didnt post in it)

Example:
You see people from both sides of a topic getting back saying their views (fair enough) ... and then you see one resorts to personally attacking to try and establish their own opinion to be right. Usually saying the other person is 'immature' or 'childish' (etc, enter your own example)

So I guess the question I pose is... do you think alot of users 'attack' (that being a nice word for someone trying to insult another to validate ones own opinion ) .. or not



(In before someone calls me an foolish immature man-child :pac:)

admiralofthefleet

intelligent grown up adult

DOC09UNAM

Some people are just so stupid they have to be told.

Duggy747

When another poster resorts to personally insulting you, you know they're losing the argument.

Or just don't have self-control.

Fourteen

welcome to the internet, OP. very serious stuff altogether.

electrobanana

Not really no..
But i really want to go into the pro wrestling section to tell them its not real.

Chuck Stone

What is Ad hominem.

Overheal

Personal abuse is not tolerated. Report it where you see it.

Cavehill Red

Got called a racist and liar on the (most recent) private schooling thread for explaining that I sent my kid to a private school because 42 public ones told me they were full.

It's already annoying when people fail to understand simple logic in a discussion (such as, on this occasion, the fact that closing private schools would cost the state money because they'd have to pay for things that parents pay for now via fees).

But when you get people resorting to frankly really offensive insults to try and bolster their arguments, I am reminded of how petty, combative and ignorant the internet facilitates them in being.

I'd love for that individual to meet me face to face and discuss the same topic. I suspect (though can't be sure) that they wouldn't dream of calling me a racist and liar if we were sat at a table over coffee discussing the exact same issue.

The internet makes little men feel big.

LighterGuy

Overheal wrote: »

Personal abuse is not tolerated. Report it where you see it.

Not to derail the thread. But what defines abuse?
I could call you a "stupid wa**er who doesnt know his arse from his own elbow who probably doesnt have a girlfriend..." etc etc etc. (Obviously I am not calling you that but only making an example :P )

But as long as I phrase that in such a manner. I wont get banned. Heck I wouldnt even get warned. The words we can use.

Father Damo

Duggy747 wrote: »

When another poster resorts to personally insulting you, you know they're losing the argument.

Or just don't have self-control.

Hardly. Some people just cant admit they are liars, idiots, and of lower intelligence than the average cockroach.

partyatmygaff

Pretty much guaranteed to happen if there's a big difference in opinion. The thing about the Internet is that relative anonymity breaks down any inhibitions you'd normally have in a social setting. In "Real Life", you'd never tell a stranger that you thought their opinion was idiotic. Primarily because you'd have no idea if they'd react with more than just words.

mikemac1

The very nature of boards means you'll get people here with strong opinions and up for an argument/debate

If you have nothing to add you'd just be a lurker
Nothing wrong with being a lurker of course

Cavehill Red

Overheal wrote: »

Personal abuse is not tolerated. Report it where you see it.

All too often it is, even after being reported. The Mods are very variable in how they deal with such matters across various fora, and there is no consistency applied at all.

oppenheimer1

Cavehill Red wrote: »

Got called a racist and liar on the (most recent) private schooling thread for explaining that I sent my kid to a private school because 42 public ones told me they were full.

It's already annoying when people fail to understand simple logic in a discussion (such as, on this occasion, the fact that closing private schools would cost the state money because they'd have to pay for things that parents pay for now via fees).

But when you get people resorting to frankly really offensive insults to try and bolster their arguments, I am reminded of how petty, combative and ignorant the internet facilitates them in being.

I'd love for that individual to meet me face to face and discuss the same topic. I suspect (though can't be sure) that they wouldn't dream of calling me a racist and liar if we were sat at a table over coffee discussing the exact same issue.

The internet makes little men feel big.

I'd actually say the internet lets people express how they really feel. You don't have to be polite posting as a pseudo-anonymous poster arguing with another pseudo-anonymous poster. Personal contact creates barriers to free expression through social moires. These don't exist on the internet. This allows us to see the dark side - which may be a more real version of the person than is known in public by their friends.

pablomakaveli

I had one poster tell me she hoped i was never able to have kids once. Was actually kind of amused by that one because she was an ignorant silly bint anyway.:D

Given the impersonal nature of internet debate its a lot easier for it to wind up as just inslt slinging.

Cavehill Red

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

I'd actually say the internet lets people express how they really feel. You don't have to be polite posting as a pseudo-anonymous poster arguing with another pseudo-anonymous poster. Personal contact creates barriers to free expression through social moires. These don't exist on the internet. This allows us to see the dark side - which may be a more real version of the person than is known in public by their friends.

I don't think that makes the opinions expressed any more or less 'real'. On the other hand, the lack of potential consequence and the inability to visualise and empathise with one's interlocutor certainly encourages some people to become more extreme and entrenched in their expressed opinions.

The issue of insulting people in person is rather a taboo in interpersonal engagements and generally only happens when tempers have flared to a significant level. But online, people can delude themselves that they aren't actually interacting with flesh and blood human beings who may feel hurt and take offence at insults hurled at them.

This lack of understanding is what I was trying to convey when I said that it makes little men big. They are little because they have fallen into the online trap of failing to engage with empathy. They feel big because they are subject to no consequence for their offensiveness.

And of course, beyond all of that, there are the trolls, sociopathic or disturbed people generally, who get kicks from offending others.

Shanotheslayer

electrobanana wrote: »

Not really no..
But i really want to go into the pro wrestling section to tell them its not real.

Such an amazing idea

Oranage2

LighterGuy wrote: »

Not to derail the thread. But what defines abuse?
I could call you a "stupid wa**er who doesnt know his arse from his own elbow who probably doesnt have a girlfriend..." etc etc etc. (Obviously I am not calling you that but only making an example :P )

But as long as I phrase that in such a manner. I wont get banned. Heck I wouldnt even get warned. The words we can use.

I think the trick is to insult the post not the poster so for example "your post is a stupid c^nt" might be acceptable while "you are a supid c^nt" isnt. Or you can do it subtlety at the end of your post but i guess it's pointless trying to explain as Mammy probably still cleans up after you.

Sindri

Cavehill Red wrote: »

I don't think that makes the opinions expressed any more or less 'real'. On the other hand, the lack of potential consequence and the inability to visualise and empathise with one's interlocutor certainly encourages some people to become more extreme and entrenched in their expressed opinions.

The issue of insulting people in person is rather a taboo in interpersonal engagements and generally only happens when tempers have flared to a significant level. But online, people can delude themselves that they aren't actually interacting with flesh and blood human beings who may feel hurt and take offence at insults hurled at them.

This lack of understanding is what I was trying to convey when I said that it makes little men big. They are little because they have fallen into the online trap of failing to engage with empathy. They feel big because they are subject to no consequence for their offensiveness.

And of course, beyond all of that, there are the trolls, sociopathic or disturbed people generally, who get kicks from offending others.

Speak English point-dexter.














:rolleyes:

ejmaztec

Sindri wrote: »

Speak English point-dexter.













:rolleyes:

That would be Poindexter, no offence.:rolleyes:













:pac:

Sindri

ejmaztec wrote: »

That would be Poindexter, no offence.:rolleyes:













:pac:

Yeah but it was meant to be spelled like that, for humorous purposes. Honest!


(I did not google the spelling of point-dexter).

ejmaztec

Sindri wrote: »

Yeah but it was meant to be spelled like that, for humorous purposes. Honest!


(I did not google the spelling of point-dexter).

I believe you:rolleyes:

Freddie59

I suppose the thing you also see most is that when people are backed into a corner, they usually sling things like "troll", "strawman argument", "ad hominem" etc.

30Min

The rude/abusive posters are hiding behind their computers- they wouldnt have the guts to say half of the stuff in a face to face situation :rolleyes:.

Sindri

30Min wrote: »

The rude/abusive posters are hiding behind their computers- they wouldnt have the guts to say half of the stuff in a face to face situation :rolleyes:.

Shut up ye ****.



This is fun.

Bajingo

Chuck Stone wrote: »

What is Ad hominem.

This pretty much sums it up. It isn't to do with lack of self control. It's about winning. We're animals at the end of the day and competitive ones at that. In the real world people argue like this especially those 'higher' up on a social scale. It's a way of asserting dominance. I suppose the only difference between the 'real' world and the internet is that everyone can be top dog and is more confident to attack to win an argument due to the anonymity created by this means of communication.

ejmaztec

30Min wrote: »

The rude/abusive posters are hiding behind their computers- they wouldnt have the guts to say half of the stuff in a face to face situation :rolleyes:.

Come over here and say that:rolleyes:

Sindri

Bajingo wrote: »

This pretty much sums it up. It isn't to do with lack of self control. It's about winning. We're animals at the end of the day and competitive ones at that. In the real world people argue like this especially those 'higher' up on a social scale. It's a way of asserting dominance. I suppose the only difference between the 'real' world and the internet is that everyone can be top dog and is more confident to attack to win an argument due to the anonymity created by this means of communication.

No it's not.:P

Jimmy Bottlehead

electrobanana wrote: »

Not really no..
But i really want to go into the pro wrestling section to tell them its not real.

Definitely!

Then next, you can tell pop into the Film Forum to tell them most of the movies discussed aren't real either.
Maybe there's a soaps forum - I'll bet the Coronation Street fans need access to your amazingly original insight and learn that it's fake.

PROTIP: Wrestling fans are well aware of what it is ;-)

Sindri

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Definitely!

Then next, you can tell pop into the Film Forum to tell them most of the movies discussed aren't real either.
Maybe there's a soaps forum - I'll bet the Coronation Street fans need access to your amazingly original insight and learn that it's fake.

PROTIP: Wrestling fans are well aware of what it is ;-)

A drama for closeted homosexuals.

Galtee

Bajingo wrote: »

This pretty much sums it up. It isn't to do with lack of self control. It's about winning. We're animals at the end of the day and competitive ones at that. In the real world people argue like this especially those 'higher' up on a social scale. It's a way of asserting dominance. I suppose the only difference between the 'real' world and the internet is that everyone can be top dog and is more confident to attack to win an argument due to the anonymity created by this means of communication.

Speak for yourself. May I offer you my congratulations on your keyboard skills.

Sindri

Galtee wrote: »

Speak for yourself. May I offer you my congratulations on your keyboard skills.

Your not an animal.


You a slice of ham named after a mountain range.

Galtee

Sindri wrote: »

Your not an animal.


You a slice of ham named after a mountain range.

Are you an animal? If you are, then congrats again on your keyboard skills, although not as fine tuned as Bajingo, but keep practicing.

Standard Toaster

'Attack the post and not the poster' etc....ye cunts.

Sindri

Galtee wrote: »

Are you an animal? If you are, then congrates again on your keyboard skills, although not as fine tuned as Bajingo, but keep practicing.

Congrats on yours porky.

Galtee

Sindri wrote: »

Congrats on yours porky.

Thanks, you should try my cheese. It's especially good on toast.

30Min

ejmaztec wrote: »

Come over here and say that:rolleyes:

I would...happily.

Others wouldnt :rolleyes:.

Cavehill Red

Sindri wrote: »

Speak English point-dexter.

:rolleyes:

Was there something I wrote you failed to understand?

im invisible

electrobanana wrote: »

Not really no..
But i really want to go into the pro wrestling section to tell them its not real.

its especially fun when they're discussing something serious, like <random wrestler> getting jailed for drug posession, or domestic violence...


Only got banned for a week for that and all.

MagicSean

Some people deserve it. Like when they open the same ****ing thread every few weeks based on "average public sector gross pay". In after hours of course because they are banned from the correct forum for trolling.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Sindri wrote: »

A drama for closeted homosexuals.

Hmm. If that's the case, you're probably a fan then so, as there are some very strong themes in your posts...

Sindri wrote: »

I once advertised myself as a prostitute.

Sindri wrote: »

Are you in The George.

Sindri wrote: »

Did you type the above with your penis?

Sindri wrote: »

Balls up.

Sindri wrote: »

He did say he was bummed.

Sindri wrote: »

Are you coming on to me?


And yes, I agree, even though that post stank of hippyness and a desire for casual homosexual sex.



PM me.

Sindri wrote: »

Aww yeah man, Gosling I'd say is an absolute demon in the sack. He was home schooled so you know he's got issues.

Sindri wrote: »

As do I, as do I.

If there was one guy I could gay it up with, he would certainly be on my top 20 list.

Sindri wrote: »

Same with me, except they're are no girls in my family (not even my mother) so I was raised as a girl. Very confusing, all the other girls used to think I was weird when I entered the girls bathroom and couldn't find a urinal so I had to go in the sink.

gcgirl

The only people who grind my gears are grammar nazi's they don't even comment on the thread they just want to look down on someone because their spelling was wrong or they did not use a ' or a . .

Cavehill Red

gcgirl wrote: »

The only people who grind my gears are grammar nazi's they don't even comment on the thread they just want to look down on someone because their spelling was wrong or they did not use a ' or a . .

Desperately resisting desire to correct grocer's apostrophe in the above.

MagicSean

Cavehill Red wrote: »

Desperately resisting desire to correct grocer's apostrophe in the above.

Not to mention the absence of punctuation after "nazi's".

Degsy

This will end well..

fearbainne

Attack of the Keyboard Warrior

Heh

Dudess

Abusing someone because their opinion differs is rare - and results in reprimand: e.g. "I don't want a united Ireland", "Fuk you, you west Brit cunt!"

The vast majority of the time though, people who say "Wah, wah, you're calling me a troll because I have a different opinion to you!" are lying. It's not simply because they have an opposing opinion - it's because they throw wild sweeping statements out there with no support and then get in a strop when questioned, they tell lies, they resort to being insulting actually (e.g. saying people who aren't totally supportive of banning the burkha automatically support violence against women and terrorism - that is certainly an ad hominem/trolling), they use their obvious personal issues (e.g. being bitter towards women) as fuel for their angry generalisations.

It's not the opinion (unless it's out and out bullsh1t), it's the way it's presented.

Freddie59

Dudess wrote: »

Abusing someone because their opinion differs is rare - and results in reprimand: e.g. "I don't want a united Ireland", "Fuk you, you west Brit cunt!"

The vast majority of the time though, people who say "Wah, wah, you're calling me a troll because I have a different opinion to you!" are lying. It's not simply because they have an opposing opinion - it's because they throw wild sweeping statements out there with no support and then get in a strop when questioned, they tell lies, they resort to being insulting actually (e.g. saying people who aren't totally supportive of banning the burkha automatically support violence against women and terrorism - that is certainly an ad hominem/trolling), they use their obvious personal issues (e.g. being bitter towards women) as fuel for their angry generalisations.

It's not the opinion (unless it's out and out bullsh1t), it's the way it's presented.

Couldn't have put it better D. Describes many on here to a T.:)

AngryPensioner

Overheal wrote: »

Personal abuse is not tolerated. Report it where you see it.

Or you could just grow a pair. Oh noes, the internet poster has insulted me:eek:

BBDBB

the issues take a back seat once egos start to get competitive