Internet Anonymity
Yesterday, I conducted an experiment (said in a cheeky voice), I created a 'Qoohme' account- basically I stripped myself naked and let everyone laugh at my wobbly bits... I let myself be bullied.
I did so voluntarily (on the same site) about a year and a half ago and the results broke me into pieces. I expected to get some funny questions and maybe one or two rude-ish comments that I thought I could handle (clearly I was oblivious) but I was so incredibly wrong: I received countless questions (not one of which was even remotely funny) and I found out what people say about me behind my back - something which at the time I wished I had never found out. But now it just makes me stronger and more aware.
However, my motivation for yesterday's account creation was in fact just the opposite of curiosity, it was rather to prove a point... a point about internet anonymity and all the cruelties that come with it.
It's a very simple concept, internet anonymity - it basically sums up the point that when people are given the chance to conceal their identity, they are (a majority of the time) more likely to be rude, whereas if those same people were placed IN FRONT OF YOU, I can bet you that 99% of them wouldn't say a peep and if they did, it wouldn't be of the same ruthlessly cruel magnitude.
Most people find it easier to criticise than to compliment due to their own insecurities. Being put in the position of judge, they are able to project - especially their own insecurities and hang ups.
Why is that?
Because after writing something that intends to put someone else down, clicking 'share' or 'send' is much easier than saying it to that person's face; when we say something to someone's face, we can see their facial expressions and their reactions and it therefore usually inhibits us from being blatantly and unnecessarily mean to them... it's easier to hide behind a persona that never leaves a trace... a person that hides behind an electronic screen.
Internet anonymity appears on many social networks.. most infamously known on sites such as Tumblr and other blogs as well as sites such as 'Qoohme' (with its primary aim being anonymity). There have been various studies and debates on whether or not the option of 'anonymous' need be removed and banned but nothing has yet been concluded or changed.
It's not even as if I don't understand why the people asked me those questions, as I in fact do understand... it's because it's so goddamn, bloody easy: Just by clicking one option over another- No one will ever know it was you.
I am now reaching out to the people that spend too much of their time writing anonymous comments and questions and ask them to dig deep (very deep.. very very deep) into their hearts and wonder what the person on the other side of the 'share' or 'send' button will feel when they receiving some horribly hurtful (deserved or not deserved) piece of information that could possibly make them feel low about themselves as well as helpless, as they won't ever know who sent it or who thinks so terribly of them. You'll carry on with your day (sans a guilty conscience because you never witnessed their reaction) yet for them, the anonymous comment, question or answer will follow them for the rest of the day (if not longer). When you dig, and if you find something stirring in the deep, it's called a conscience. Not a social conscience about being found out and therefore not doing it, but a real behind-the-smokescreens decency.
Don't do it, just don't - if you have it in you to be rude to someone, can't keep it in any longer and feel like they are important enough to receive your energy - grow some balls, be courageous and sign your name- or even better (for all you ruthless peeps out there) say it to their face.
Lastly, I thought I'd finish my experiment by gracefully answering the questions asked.
Yesterday, I conducted an experiment (said in a cheeky voice), I created a 'Qoohme' account- basically I stripped myself naked and let everyone laugh at my wobbly bits... I let myself be bullied.
I did so voluntarily (on the same site) about a year and a half ago and the results broke me into pieces. I expected to get some funny questions and maybe one or two rude-ish comments that I thought I could handle (clearly I was oblivious) but I was so incredibly wrong: I received countless questions (not one of which was even remotely funny) and I found out what people say about me behind my back - something which at the time I wished I had never found out. But now it just makes me stronger and more aware.
However, my motivation for yesterday's account creation was in fact just the opposite of curiosity, it was rather to prove a point... a point about internet anonymity and all the cruelties that come with it.
It's a very simple concept, internet anonymity - it basically sums up the point that when people are given the chance to conceal their identity, they are (a majority of the time) more likely to be rude, whereas if those same people were placed IN FRONT OF YOU, I can bet you that 99% of them wouldn't say a peep and if they did, it wouldn't be of the same ruthlessly cruel magnitude.
Most people find it easier to criticise than to compliment due to their own insecurities. Being put in the position of judge, they are able to project - especially their own insecurities and hang ups.
Why is that?
Because after writing something that intends to put someone else down, clicking 'share' or 'send' is much easier than saying it to that person's face; when we say something to someone's face, we can see their facial expressions and their reactions and it therefore usually inhibits us from being blatantly and unnecessarily mean to them... it's easier to hide behind a persona that never leaves a trace... a person that hides behind an electronic screen.
Internet anonymity appears on many social networks.. most infamously known on sites such as Tumblr and other blogs as well as sites such as 'Qoohme' (with its primary aim being anonymity). There have been various studies and debates on whether or not the option of 'anonymous' need be removed and banned but nothing has yet been concluded or changed.
It's not even as if I don't understand why the people asked me those questions, as I in fact do understand... it's because it's so goddamn, bloody easy: Just by clicking one option over another- No one will ever know it was you.
I am now reaching out to the people that spend too much of their time writing anonymous comments and questions and ask them to dig deep (very deep.. very very deep) into their hearts and wonder what the person on the other side of the 'share' or 'send' button will feel when they receiving some horribly hurtful (deserved or not deserved) piece of information that could possibly make them feel low about themselves as well as helpless, as they won't ever know who sent it or who thinks so terribly of them. You'll carry on with your day (sans a guilty conscience because you never witnessed their reaction) yet for them, the anonymous comment, question or answer will follow them for the rest of the day (if not longer). When you dig, and if you find something stirring in the deep, it's called a conscience. Not a social conscience about being found out and therefore not doing it, but a real behind-the-smokescreens decency.
Don't do it, just don't - if you have it in you to be rude to someone, can't keep it in any longer and feel like they are important enough to receive your energy - grow some balls, be courageous and sign your name- or even better (for all you ruthless peeps out there) say it to their face.
Lastly, I thought I'd finish my experiment by gracefully answering the questions asked.
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| Senor Chang just commented on my blog post (jumps up in the air and does a happy dance) |
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| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGHN3qsuons -I thought this would help you, seeing as when you be askin' how much someone else be gettin', you clearly aren't gettin' any. |
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| I thought I'd publicly answer this considering a few people have recently told me the word was going around (clearly the worthiness of the standard of the word has decreased) is that I left Herschel because my boyfriend went to Herzlia in Grade 7 and his sister goes there now? haha, not the case. I left Herschel because its a very specific school and it just didn't suit me- simple as that. |
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| Don't call a bitch a bitch... us bitches hate that. |
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| Enrique? you finally answered my dreams! |
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| No. I am solely with him for his sweet cupboard |
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| (Aside from your spelling mistake) I'm very impressed. Have you been stalking my heritage Mr? You may ask me why. For what strange reason I subjected myself to that sort of criticism all over again? Firstly I did it to prove a point about something I feel strongly about but secondly, I did it to compare how previously, it cut me so deep to now how I was able to brush it off and look further. X Zo |
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