People on Boards who judge other people

There are a vast array of personalities on here along with a strong element of "playing to the crowd". Certain groups do get a very hard time. The Catholic Church, the unemployed, those on social welfare. There's also a very judgemental tone towards anyone who has different lifestyle choices. That's what gets to me. If somebody wants to eat microwaveable dinners or in a Michelin star restaurant everyday for the rest of their lives then so what? If a person lives at home and Mam washes their clothes then so what?

Sometimes I wonder if certain posters live this amazing dream life with all ducks in a row. Super loving relationship, perfect parenting skills, would never ever put a foot wrong.
I don't believe any of us have a monoply on how to live. I have a lot of respect for posters who put forward their views even if it means a mass slaughter. They have the courage of their convinctions and care not how others will judge their posts.

We are all in this together.

Deleted User wrote: »

There are a vast array of personalities on here along with a strong element of "playing to the crowd". Certain groups do get a very hard time. The Catholic Church, the unemployed, those on social welfare. There's also a very judgemental tone towards anyone who has different lifestyle choices. That's what gets to me. If somebody wants to eat microwaveable dinners or in a Michelin star restaurant everyday for the rest of their lives then so what? If a person lives at home and Mam washes their clothes then so what?

Sometimes I wonder if certain posters live this amazing dream life with all ducks in a row. Super loving relationship, perfect parenting skills, would never ever put a foot wrong.
I don't believe any of us have a monoply on how to live. I have a lot of respect for posters who put forward their views even if it means a mass slaughter. They have the courage of their convinctions and care not how others will judge their posts.

We are all in this together.

I think we've finally fallen down the rabbit hole of judging people for judging people for judging people

Tolerance for all, even the intolerant!

I think it's the ones whose ducks really are in a row who have the most difficulty empathizing or tolerating differences. There's often an element of "Well, I managed to juggle three jobs, sixteen kids, elderly parents and made the time to cook gourmet meals from scratch every night, so why can't they?"

Often followed by some passive aggressive even-holier-than-thou comment that the poster thinks flies under the radar, yet highlights their rosy glow. It's sometimes laughably obvious.

Lets take an example from another thread. By all accounts, it's pretty common to flash drivers to warn them of speed cameras and checkpoints; and despite all the campaigns, even drink driving remains oddly persistent.

But you will never hear anybody admit to doing either (unless it's a case of, 'well I did it once when I was young and stupid, I'm a different person now'). You'll never see anybody type on boards defending or planning that behaviour. We're all tolerant, good people, oh and we're bloody hard workers not like them scroungers something something single mother (from the floor - cries of 'where's the father'?)

Is this a statistical freakshow? Is the userbase of boards really the most upstanding community in Ireland? No. People here lie, cheat, steal, scrounge, slap their children, kick the dog, bang the door, flash other drivers, and drive home drunk. Maybe all in the same night.

But we'll never tell anybody that. It's natural and less uncomfortable to criticize someone else rather than ourselves, and I think we're all guilty of that from time to time.

I think the worst thing I ever admitted to on boards is cheating on an ex, but I think I tried to make it sound funny or else I probably exaggerated my remorse. In reality I probably didn't feel terrible and I've done worse things I'd never put in print.

'Don't be a dick' is a great rule, but I think most people apply it to themselves first and foremost, i.e. don't make yourself sound like you're an asshole in real life.

I'm sure most people here are lovely people. But we can be assholes too, I know I can, but I'd never admit how.

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Lets take an example from another thread. By all accounts, it's pretty common to flash drivers to warn them of speed cameras and checkpoints; and despite all the campaigns, even drink driving remains oddly persistent.

I've never flashed other drivers but I have driven with drink taken.

It's not something I'm proud of.

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

Most people would struggle with four small kids. My father says he never tried to be the perfect father, because that man doesn't exist. He aimed for good enough, and it was more than good enough as it happens. I'm sure your kids will say the same.

We're all just doing our best.

Deleted User wrote: »

I also have speeding fines and penalty points. I've lied. I've destroyed friendships. I can be selfish and self-absorbed. Jealous. Angry.

We all have a shadow side. It's important to own it.

Absolutely, we wouldn't be human if we didn't have big flaws.

I guess none of us want to be defined, in others eyes, as 'the bollox who cheats his taxes', or 'yer one who drank a bottle of wine when she was pregnant, what a stupid bitch'.

It's a vicious circle, because that intolerance of one another's human weaknesses makes it harder to be honest about our shortcomings, and easier to join a morally indignant mob -- thirsty for blood, waiting to pounce on human weaknesses and moments of stupidity or even moments of pure badness that we all have.

So yes there is a culture of moral arrogance on the internet, I'm absolutely certain that I add to it myself, and so does everyone who isn't completely upfront regarding their own personality's dark side, yet who react with outrage when others make admissions.