Squashed: Disagreeing on the Internet
The Internet is both the best and worst thing to happen to human communication since the telephone. It means that brilliant and diverse people who may never meet face to face can find each other and share their thoughts, hopes, and ideas. And it means that those people who would, in all probability, get along wonderfully in real life, treat each other atrociously. Too often, as soon as we get behind a few miles of fiber-optic cable, we forget everything we learned about human decency.
Some people blame the problems on anonymity. I think that’s a red herring. Real people using real names can be every bit as vicious as the anonymous ones. I think the core problem is that the Internet, as a largely textual medium, restricts our ability to determine the intentions, emotions and reactions of others. While I like a good internet disagreement as much as the next person, I have a few ideas on how we can limit the collateral damage.
Assume good intentions. Be charitable when interpreting amibiguity or clumsily worded statements. And if somebody writes something truly wretched, assume carelessness before ignorance and ignorance before malice.
Acknowledge the feelings of others. Respect that others might bring a different set of experiences to the same set of facts. Be aware of how your words could hurt others—even when you’re certain you’re right.
Accept boundaries. Know when to stop. Know when to give yourself or others time to cool off a bit. Hesitate before publicly broadcasting something said privately.
I don’t want the Internet to be a touchy-feely hugfest. But we all bleed.Well said, Squashed.
