Why the internet can make us so aggressive

GenuineRisk · #1 02-20-2007, 11:42 AM

Having myself stuck my foot in my mouth (or on my fingers, as the case may be) online, I thought this NYTimes article was very interesting:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/20/he...ce&oref=slogin

I loved learning some of why internet stuff can get so heated so fast. And a big apology to anyone's feelings I may have stomped on at any point... my orbitofrontal cortex wasn't watching my amygdala!

paisjpq · #2 02-20-2007, 11:46 AM

I just read the article on the other thread...fascinating...and so true.
The absence of any real consequences for ugly words can make things get really out of hand...and the inability to judge another's tone means it's hard to gauge emotions online...thanks for posting nicole

GenuineRisk · #3 02-20-2007, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paisjpq

I just read the article on the other thread...fascinating...and so true.
The absence of any real consequences for ugly words can make things get really out of hand...and the inability to judge another's tone means it's hard to gauge emotions online...thanks for posting nicole

I (literally) watched an 8-year friendship between two friends of mine end all via email. If one of them had just been willing to pick up the phone...

Of course, why they both felt the need to CC me on all the emails will forever be a mystery, as I prefer my drama onstage and onscreen where it doesn't give me ulcers.

randallscott35 · #4 02-20-2007, 02:37 PM

Ummm, there are a number of people on here who about as arrogant and prick like as it comes. Would they be this way in person? I highly doubt it.

GenuineRisk · #5 02-20-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Ummm, there are a number of people on here who about as arrogant and prick like as it comes. Would they be this way in person? I highly doubt it.

Because their orbitofrontal cortexes are busy telling their amygdalas to play nice!

Well, that and it's hard to punch someone from seven states away.

I'm so pleased I retained "orbitofrontal cortex" and "amygdala" from that article that I think I'll go have a drink and kill off the brain cells currently responsible for remembering that.