OSCARS - Internet Wars - Volume 1

[Darkangelyaya]

OSCARS - Obsessive's Compulsive Attack Response Syndrome:
The obsessive compulsive need to respond to an internet post from a stranger with personal attacks, absolute hatred and vile language

Following some of the latest news in South Africa (uncommon for me), I have come to the conclusion that people who are insecure with regards to their own beliefs / views, are the first to start attacking others.

I have moments that remind me of working for a manager when I was young and naive, who manipulated me emotionally and harrassed me sexually. He never could prove that I didn't do my job exceedingly well, but always made me feel like the dog's breakfast. I often used to wipe at my arms, because it felt like the 'proverbial' was lodging on my skin.

Nowhere is it more evident than on the internet. Do people really still think that they are anonymous infront of that screen?

Maybe that is the case, but I don't know, I think it's just part of a bigger problem, aka my pet hate 'lack of integrity'.

Or is it because the internet gave everybody a voice?

Truth, like breeding, will out.

Just because you can type, it does not mean you have to abuse the special @#&* characters (or the UPPERCASE!) .

* Rant Complete *

[AndyD]

Online characters and real life charactersare often worlds apart. I'm a little bit the opposite way, I used to be a thug in real life (not so much nowadays) but online I was a lot less confrontational and a lot more tolerant. There is however a line that when crossed means all pleasantries go out of the window but that's not very often.

[Darkangelyaya]

I used to be a thug in real life (not so much nowadays)

So, like, only on Mondays between 14h00 and 14h30... or how does that work, exactly?

(Yes, you ARE special, and so is Vanash)

[AndyD]

Nahh, before 5pm I'm way too busy to be thuggish. I think the difference nowadays is I really don't care as much so I'm lees motivated to wade in and be hands-on to change things. I'm happy to take a more laissez faire approach and just take some perverse pleasure when things run their inevitable course.

[Dave A]

When the online persona is very different to the persona in "real life", which is actually the "real reflection" of that person?

Following some of the latest news in South Africa (uncommon for me), I have come to the conclusion that people who are insecure with regards to their own beliefs / views, are the first to start attacking others.

I certainly feel that those sorts of "attack is the best form of defence" posts say a lot more about the person doing the attacking than it does about the person (or post) they're attacking.

[Darkangelyaya]

When the online persona is very different to the persona in "real life", which is actually the "real reflection" of that person?
I certainly feel that those sorts of "attack is the best form of defence" posts say a lot more about the person doing the attacking than it does about the person (or post) they're attacking.

Social chameleons or multiple personality disorder? The truth is somewhere in between. It's a balancing act... And I agree re the last part.

[Dave A]

Social chameleons or multiple personality disorder? The truth is somewhere in between.

I think the truth is in this post

[wynn]

The worst non smoker is an ex smoker, referring to the post in the link above, I once chewed a mouthfull of food and then sneezed it all over the guy who was smoking at the table next to me, profuse apologies and mentioned the fact that the smoke tickled my nose and made me sneeze, of course everybody within spitting distance put their ciggies out and I could enjoy the rest of my meal.

It all came down to respect and being aware of who was being inconvenienced by your smoking.

Flaming has been a tradition since the dawn of the internet, one needs to grow a pair (DarkAngel I believe yours are seriously awesome)

[wynn]

this is really true

[Darkangelyaya]

I think the truth is in this post

How did I miss THAT one?!!

[Darkangelyaya]

Flaming has been a tradition since the dawn of the internet, one needs to grow a pair (DarkAngel I believe yours are seriously awesome)

I'm all for sarcasm (it's one of the languages I am fluent in).
and
thank you!

[Chrisjan B]

You earned it!

[AndyD]

When the online persona is very different to the persona in "real life", which is actually the "real reflection" of that person?

I think it's just a modern day extension of the age old problem. People never cease to amaze me, even those you really think you know have a habit of throwing a very unexpected curveball or having major skeletons lurking in closets.

I've knew a great guy for years, nicest bloke you could ever meet, after nearly a decade of knowing him it turned out he regularly beat his wife black and blue and ended up serving time when he had his third court appearance for assault after landing her in ICU. Nobody had any idea, not even the guys own kids.

Another was a friend at uni, I spent 3 years on the same course as him, we left the bar after watching a live band play one friday evening at the end of term, Saturday morning I found him hanging in his room. They reckoned from time of death he must have gone straight there the previous night and comitted suicide immediately.

This was just two examples, believe me the list of surprises is long. I'm fully aware that poeple change their personalities depending on their environment but the thing is I never learn, I still have a close group of friends who I think I know pretty well, they behave exactly how I expect them to but I'll still be shocked the day I learn about one of their other alter-egos.

[ians]

I made the mistake of living with a few of my "friends" during a rough patch in my life.

Just as a matter of interest, how would you decribe my behaviour on this forum? I look foward to the response.

[vieome]

I made the mistake of living with a few of my "friends" during a rough patch in my life.

Just as a matter of interest, how would you decribe my behaviour on this forum? I look foward to the response.

Today, 04:50 AM first post. I would say dedicated.