by Cody Hodge

Created on: March 03, 2009

The Internet is a wonderful tool that allows people all around the world to bond in ways never before possible. You can find fans of your favorite TV show from all around the world, or find hints and tips about your favorite video game from people across the country. The flexibility of the Internet and the way it has revolutionized communication is truly something that is unprecedented in the history of mankind. Unfortunately, it also has changed the way that people treat each other, and it is not uncommon to see rude comments posted on message boards, and forums. Why is this?

The Internet is a venue where all you need is a computer to communicate with people. As face to face interaction between people becomes less and less prevalent, people feel a sense of empowerment. Since you will never see any of the people that you may be making rude comments toward, what does it matter? They won't ever meet you, and even if they did, would they even be able to tell it was you who posted the comments?

Some people just think that it is funny to post stupid, or rude comments on-line. Again, since people don't actually have to see any of the people who they are interacting with face to face, they may feel as if they can make comments and get away with it. They may see it as idle chatter, and the words have no meaning.

I once wrote an article on the Buffalo Bills after they started the season 4-0, and on the comments section, some guy totally berated my article. Of course he was a hometown fan, as am I, but as a semi-serious sports journalist, I was going to be objective. I wasn't buying into the Bills as a serious contender yet, but this guy totally ripped me apart. Maybe it was his true feelings, but still I have to think that if we were talking face to face he might have chosen the words a little more carefully.

Maybe it is just our culture to be more blunt about things. You watch people like Simon Cowell on American Idol, and how he became so popular overnight by his demeanor, and you have to wonder if that caught on. You watch the reality shows, and especially shows like Hells Kitchen, or any other competition where you have at least one of the judges who is a complete jerk to everyone. When that is what our people watch, maybe that is what they aspire to be.

There are many reasons why people are rude. Whether they are lashing out, trying to be funny, or are just plain mean in general, the postings on message boards shouldn't be taken too seriously. I'm sure we all have better things to do then worry about what some guy in Oklahoma thinks about your article, or your opinion on episode 5 of Lost. Maybe not, but I think we can put those comments into proper context fairly easily.

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