Internet Abuse and Mental Health

[Argus]

I assume you posted this as an example of attempting of demeaning. I think your choice is a good one.

Why would a person spend part of his/her free time on a Sunday afternoon to try to aggravate somebody unless they took pleasure in the process. Really sad is it not?

You really need to learn to quit while you're way behind. You're only embarrassing yourself now.

[Guest]

You can never have too much Monty Python...

[Big Guy]

You really need to learn to quit while you're way behind. You're only embarrassing yourself now.

Thank you for your kind words. I will take your advice in the manner and spirit it is sent.

I will give you some advice. There is an interesting 4 minute video analysis of those folks who get pleasure by using Internet forums to inflict discomfort and pain in others:

http://academicearth.org/electives/psychology-internet-troll/

You may find it very interesting, informative, educational and I hope instructive.

[Guest]

Thank you for your kind words. I will take your advice in the manner and spirit it is sent.

I will give you some advice. There is an interesting 4 minute video analysis of those folks who get pleasure by using Internet forums to inflict discomfort and pain in others:

http://academicearth.org/electives/psychology-internet-troll/

You may find it very interesting, informative, educational and I hope instructive.

I'm curious. Do you think there is a difference between someone calling you an anti-semite and you calling someone an Islamophobe?

In terms of pleasure, discomfort and pain.

[Big Guy]

There is a phenomena called "Internet Point" (IP) accumulation which tends to discourage some sadists to stay on a particular board. Some forums allow other posters to evaluate any comments with "likes" and "dislikes" but most disturbed individuals reject that form of having their work evaluated since the number of "dislikes" they receive tends to deflate their ego. Some of these sociopaths actual revel in the number of "dislikes" they are able to solicit strictly because it indicates that others are reading their vile comments.

The most common form of IP's on opinion boards is a recorded and updated number of posts that the individual has made. Losers who have never won or done well in any competition see this as a competition and the greater the number of posts they make then the more it makes them feel superior to those who have made fewer.

It is for that reason that a while ago I suggested to the mods ( in the suggestions section) that their dropping of posting numbers and forcing avatar changes would go a long way to forcing discussion on issues rather than protecting, enhancing or encouraging discussion. The trolls thrive on padding their posting numbers in an effort to show themselves and others that their avatar is legitimate.

I will refer to :

http://www.dailydot.com/opinion/phillips-dont-feed-trolls-antisocial-web/

There are some interesting ideas here which I would like to share with the mods:

"Instead of agreeing not to feed the trolls, thereby accepting the terms of the antagonist’s game, the target should be encouraged to respond with his or her own game—a game called Ruining This Asshole’s Day.

The first and most basic way to play Ruin This Asshole’s Day is to shut them down, ideally by unceremoniously deleting their comments. (This presumes that the target has some control over the posted content, and that the target can keep up with whatever comments, which isn’t always the case and immediately begs a nest of questions about best moderation practices—a conversation for another day.) This shouldn’t be done passively, as an act of acquiescence, but actively, as an exertion of power—specifically the one-two punch of a raised eyebrow and extended middle finger.

To an online antagonist with nothing better to do than spend his or her days being a nuisance, this sort of silence is deadly. Because whatever their motivations (boredom, bigotry, a warped sense of humor), and however they might self-identify (as a troll, as a soldier of God, as a concerned citizen), they all want one basic thing—an audience. If they didn’t, they would spend their time emailing insults to themselves. Where’s the fun in that? That is why forced impotence can be such a powerful punitive tool."

But this would have to make changes in the rules on this site.

Perhaps those folks who are angry, isolated, sadistic or just mean will eventually find another means to get satisfaction.

Perhaps not.

[Big Guy]

I'm curious. Do you think there is a difference between someone calling you an anti-semite and you calling someone an Islamophobe?

In terms of pleasure, discomfort and pain.

It makes no difference to me what somebody calls me. I have been called a lot of things by a lot of people. I have learned to evaluate their opinion based on what I know about them and how much I respect their opinion. Consequently, I personally suffer very little pleasure, discomfort or pain. I am sensitive to the feelings of others so I try to be very certain if a person makes racist, homophobic, bigoted or misogynist statements.

If someone asks me why I consider their statements in those categories then I will gladly explain. Dictionary definitions are rather handy.

I'm curious. Do you think that when you hear or read statements which would fall into those categories, would you say anything?

BTW - Why do you spend time on this board?

Edited May 30, 2016 by Big Guy

[jacee]

There is a phenomena called "Internet Point" (IP) accumulation which tends to discourage some sadists to stay on a particular board. Some forums allow other posters to evaluate any comments with "likes" and "dislikes" but most disturbed individuals reject that form of having their work evaluated since the number of "dislikes" they receive tends to deflate their ego. Some of these sociopaths actual revel in the number of "dislikes" they are able to solicit strictly because it indicates that others are reading their vile comments.

The most common form of IP's on opinion boards is a recorded and updated number of posts that the individual has made. Losers who have never won or done well in any competition see this as a competition and the greater the number of posts they make then the more it makes them feel superior to those who have made fewer.

It is for that reason that a while ago I suggested to the mods ( in the suggestions section) that their dropping of posting numbers and forcing avatar changes would go a long way to forcing discussion on issues rather than protecting, enhancing or encouraging discussion. The trolls thrive on padding their posting numbers in an effort to show themselves and others that their avatar is legitimate.

I will refer to :

http://www.dailydot.com/opinion/phillips-dont-feed-trolls-antisocial-web/

There are some interesting ideas here which I would like to share with the mods:

"Instead of agreeing not to feed the trolls, thereby accepting the terms of the antagonists game, the target should be encouraged to respond with his or her own gamea game called Ruining This Assholes Day.

The first and most basic way to play Ruin This Assholes Day is to shut them down, ideally by unceremoniously deleting their comments. (This presumes that the target has some control over the posted content, and that the target can keep up with whatever comments, which isnt always the case and immediately begs a nest of questions about best moderation practicesa conversation for another day.) This shouldnt be done passively, as an act of acquiescence, but actively, as an exertion of powerspecifically the one-two punch of a raised eyebrow and extended middle finger.

To an online antagonist with nothing better to do than spend his or her days being a nuisance, this sort of silence is deadly. Because whatever their motivations (boredom, bigotry, a warped sense of humor), and however they might self-identify (as a troll, as a soldier of God, as a concerned citizen), they all want one basic thingan audience. If they didnt, they would spend their time emailing insults to themselves. Wheres the fun in that? That is why forced impotence can be such a powerful punitive tool."

But this would have to make changes in the rules on this site.

Perhaps those folks who are angry, isolated, sadistic or just mean will eventually find another means to get satisfaction.

Perhaps not.

Likely not.

But you control what posts you read and respond to.

You can take a holiday from whatever posters you choose by setting your 'ignore' preferences.

.

[Guest]

It makes no difference to me what somebody calls me. I have been called a lot of things by a lot of people. I have learned to evaluate their opinion based on what I know about them and how much I respect their opinion. Consequently, I personally suffer very little pleasure, discomfort or pain. I am sensitive to the feelings of others so I try to be very certain if a person makes racist, homophobic, bigoted or misogynist statements.

If someone asks me why I consider their statements in those categories then I will gladly explain. Dictionary definitions are rather handy.

I'm curious. Do you think that when you hear or read statements which would fall into those categories, would you say anything?

I have done. Today, in fact.

You do believe then, that you are different? You can make statements that reflect what you think of others, but they should not make statements that reflect what they think of you?

[Guest]

I will refer to :

http://www.dailydot.com/opinion/phillips-dont-feed-trolls-antisocial-web/

You must frequent some pretty dodgy sites. I've never seen any of the kind of behaviour described in your link that wasn't dealt with fairly quickly on here. (Much of it, of course, I have never seen at all) They can't be everywhere all the time, of course, but they do keep up pretty well.

Edited May 30, 2016 by bcsapper

[Big Guy]

I have done. Today, in fact.

You do believe then, that you are different? You can make statements that reflect what you think of others, but they should not make statements that reflect what they think of you?

They can do what they want to me as far as I am concerned. Perhaps I will try again - I rate a comment about me based on what I know about the individual. Am I different? Different from what? I find these sadists irritants because they often discourage other intelligent and honest posters. I have seen a few disappear from here and I miss their communications.

Do you take seriously any and/or all disparaging remarks directed towards you?

If I called you a racist or an Islamophobe would you be upset?

Does that make you different?

[Big Guy]

You must frequent some pretty dodgy sites. I've never seen any of the kind of behaviour described in your link that wasn't dealt with fairly quickly on here. (Much of it, of course, I have never seen at all) They can't be everywhere all the time, of course, but they do keep up pretty well.

All sites are dodgy. This last reference I gave was by:

"Whitney Phillips is a media and Internet studies scholar who received her Ph.D. from the University of Oregon in 2012. Her work has appeared in journals such as Television and New Mediaand First Monday, and she has been interviewed or featured in the Atlantic, Fast Company, and NBC News. She is currently revising her dissertation—which focuses on subcultural trolling—for publication."

I consider that to be a serious commentary. Don't you?

[Guest]

They can do what they want to me as far as I am concerned. Perhaps I will try again - I rate a comment about me based on what I know about the individual. Am I different? Different from what? I find these sadists irritants because they often discourage other intelligent and honest posters. I have seen a few disappear from here and I miss their communications.

Do you take seriously any and/or all disparaging remarks directed towards you?

If I called you a racist or an Islamophobe would you be upset?

Does that make you different?

I would probably argue the notion the first few times (I did) and then I would either ignore it or argue it based on my mood, because, like you, I don't care that much. But then, I do that with pretty much everyone. There are no posters on here who do not troll. There are no posters on here who do not make thoughtful opinon posts that I enjoy reading.

I just don't care who does what at any given time. You seem to think that some posters on here should be treated differently than others.

[Guest]

All sites are dodgy. This last reference I gave was by:

"Whitney Phillips is a media and Internet studies scholar who received her Ph.D. from the University of Oregon in 2012. Her work has appeared in journals such as Television and New Mediaand First Monday, and she has been interviewed or featured in the Atlantic, Fast Company, and NBC News. She is currently revising her dissertation—which focuses on subcultural trolling—for publication."

I consider that to be a serious commentary. Don't you?

A little too serious, would have been my view.

Edit> But, to be fair, I don't visit many sites. I certainly don't do Reddit, (sounds like an awful place) and Facebook has one use for me, which doesn't involve friends.

Edited May 30, 2016 by bcsapper

[Argus]

Thank you for your kind words. I will take your advice in the manner and spirit it is sent.

I will give you some advice. There is an interesting 4 minute video analysis of those folks who get pleasure by using Internet forums to inflict discomfort and pain in others:

You have put a great deal of time and effort into suggesting those who insult others on the internet are insane.

And yet it's clear to everyone reading this topic that it was created by you solely to insult others on this site.

How sad you are incapable of even understanding the image you are creating of yourself.

[Argus]

It makes no difference to me what somebody calls me. I have been called a lot of things by a lot of people. I have learned to evaluate their opinion based on what I know about them and how much I respect their opinion.

Apparently you have very little respect for your own opinion. Otherwise, since it's your opinion those who try to insult and demean others on the internet are insane you probably wouldn't put as much effort into trying to insult and demean others on the internet.

[Big Guy]

You have put a great deal of time and effort into suggesting those who insult others on the internet are insane.

And yet it's clear to everyone reading this topic that it was created by you solely to insult others on this site.

How sad you are incapable of even understanding the image you are creating of yourself.

Apparently you have very little respect for your own opinion. Otherwise, since it's your opinion those who try to insult and demean others on the internet are insane you probably wouldn't put as much effort into trying to insult and demean others on the internet.

You continue to insist on speaking for those whom I reference as sadists according to professional psychiatrists. Why is that? Why do you feel that you belong in that group?

What is clear or not for everyone reading this thread is up to each individual. Who would be so arrogant as to pretend to speak for others? I trust participants to make up their own minds. In this thread, I reference the kind of postings that professional psychiatrists describe as sadistic, bigoted, racist etc. You are the only one who considers these kinds of posters to be insane. You may be correct but most of the research I have seen refers to it as unhealthy and anti-social behavior. But who am I to disagree with you.

Thank for attempting to psychoanalyze me but I believe that a posters history and examples of their work will indicates which ones are healthy and informative and which a sadistic and sick. I trust the reader to be intelligent and informed enough to note the difference. As you may have noticed, I do not comment on your views about Big Guy. That is because Big Guy does not give Argus any credibility and no need for Big Guy to defend himself from his erratic and obviously personal vindictive posts. I will leave it to the reader to consider if those posts cross the threshold into sadistic, demeaning, mean spirited postings, thereby crossing into showing unhealthy and certainly normal behavior.

As to participation, what is the limit of how much time a healthy normal person spends on an anonymous opinion board a day? Is it one hour, two hours, three hours, four hours etc.? How many hours a day do you post anonymously? Is that healthy?

Would you consider it healthy for any individual to post on an anonymous board 500 times, 1,000 times, 10,000 times, 30,000 times or more? And if most of those posts are argumentative and insulting to others, what does that tell you about the poster?

Edited May 30, 2016 by Big Guy

[Big Guy]

A little too serious, would have been my view.

Edit> But, to be fair, I don't visit many sites. I certainly don't do Reddit, (sounds like an awful place) and Facebook has one use for me, which doesn't involve friends.

If you have some time to kill try this one:

https://www.gaiaonline.com/

[Guest]

If you have some time to kill try this one:

https://www.gaiaonline.com/

That looks worse than Reddit sounds...