Comments on: Would You Say that to my Face? http://www.davidawest.com/2009/02/03/would-you-say-that-to-my-face/ David A. West Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:23:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kirk Ellerbeck http://www.davidawest.com/2009/02/03/would-you-say-that-to-my-face/comment-page-1/#comment-125 Kirk Ellerbeck Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:57:44 +0000 http://www.davidawest.com/?p=143#comment-125 Also in 100% agreement here. People seem to forget a number of things when it comes to internet ettiquette in general. First and foremost, any electronic means of communication automatically removes that human touch. Something that is said tongue-in-cheek, for example, soes not have the benefit of tone of voice to relay that message completely. And yes, email and blogging can often lend that feeling of anonymity, even though you're speaking with someone you may have frequent communication with the person you are speaking to/about. Just like a few too many drinks can lower your inhibitions in a socail setting, so can the the thought of an anonymous message. (And God forbid if you're doing both at once!) Finally, with the proliferation of social networking sites and blogs on line, people seem to forget that there's more information about us available to public viewing. Every so often you hear about some poor sap who missed out on his dream job, or got fired from a current one, because an employer found out about his Facebook ranting or that he joined some inappropriate blogging group. Yes, some employers will google you, and almost anything you put out there will come to light for them. Same goes for dating. It would be interesting to see how many people have actually had business/personal relationships go awry because they let something as basic as ettiquette and common sense fly out the window just because they thought they had the mask of a computer on. Also in 100% agreement here. People seem to forget a number of things when it comes to internet ettiquette in general. First and foremost, any electronic means of communication automatically removes that human touch. Something that is said tongue-in-cheek, for example, soes not have the benefit of tone of voice to relay that message completely. And yes, email and blogging can often lend that feeling of anonymity, even though you’re speaking with someone you may have frequent communication with the person you are speaking to/about. Just like a few too many drinks can lower your inhibitions in a socail setting, so can the the thought of an anonymous message. (And God forbid if you’re doing both at once!)
Finally, with the proliferation of social networking sites and blogs on line, people seem to forget that there’s more information about us available to public viewing. Every so often you hear about some poor sap who missed out on his dream job, or got fired from a current one, because an employer found out about his Facebook ranting or that he joined some inappropriate blogging group. Yes, some employers will google you, and almost anything you put out there will come to light for them. Same goes for dating. It would be interesting to see how many people have actually had business/personal relationships go awry because they let something as basic as ettiquette and common sense fly out the window just because they thought they had the mask of a computer on.

]]> By: admin http://www.davidawest.com/2009/02/03/would-you-say-that-to-my-face/comment-page-1/#comment-122 admin Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:29:30 +0000 http://www.davidawest.com/?p=143#comment-122 Thanks for your comment Elliot. Thanks for your comment Elliot.

]]> By: Elliot Ross http://www.davidawest.com/2009/02/03/would-you-say-that-to-my-face/comment-page-1/#comment-121 Elliot Ross Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:19:06 +0000 http://www.davidawest.com/?p=143#comment-121 I agree 100% - it seems to be that we don not have either sight or sound of another individual, our brains shut down the etiquette portion! And it has not been just email. The discussions on the old Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) and early USENET (alt.news.newusers anyone?) were famous (infamous?) for the 'flame wars. The most mundane comment could launch weeks of vitriolic output. I am sure there must be a psychological reason - but all the same - it is counter productive and dangerous Doubly so when it is anonymous - hiding behind a screen name I agree 100% – it seems to be that we don not have either sight or sound of another individual, our brains shut down the etiquette portion!

And it has not been just email.

The discussions on the old Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) and early USENET (alt.news.newusers anyone?) were famous (infamous?) for the ‘flame wars.

The most mundane comment could launch weeks of vitriolic output.

I am sure there must be a psychological reason – but all the same – it is counter productive and dangerous

Doubly so when it is anonymous – hiding behind a screen name

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