Life A Confession
posted by on March 14 at 8:55 AM
As my first post, I’ve got to lay it out there how fucking scary I find this. My biggest irrational fear is people being jerks on the internet, which I know is sort of like being afraid of the rotation of the earth or the rain here in Seattle: it’s just a fact of life, and if you can’t handle it, you should GTFO. But nevertheless, I can get very, very upset over comment threads on blogs, and while I know I am being stupid, I do it.
I think this pathos can be attributed to three things: 1) words and writing are very important to me and I respond viscerally to the written word; 2) I, for some stupid reason, believe in the basic decency of humanity; and 3) my generally alpha personality doesn’t translate to the internet, where moronic, obnoxious assholes whom I would probably dominate in real life get just as much say as I do. In sum, what drives my dysfunctional relationship with the internet is a heady mix of sensitivity, optimism, and egomania.
But what I hate even more than jerks on the internet is feeling that I’ve been shut up by jerks on the internet, so here I am. I figure Slogging today will either help me grow a thicker skin, or leave me a defeated, blubbering husk of a human being. Fortunately, no matter what the outcome, today is Friday, and many hours of blissful alcohol consumption await me when this is over.
So my Slogging today is dedicated to anyone who is kind of scared to the internet. And/or addicted to it.
Very nicely put. Remember this: jerks don't matter. There are millions of jerks ten times worse than anyone you'll meet on Slog, and they don't matter either. Never let them shut you up. The ones who feel shut up are much more likely to have interesting things to say.
Welcome!
One question: what are you now that you're not an elizabeth anymore?
Oh there, there, dearie, we'll be gentle on you. Really. We promise. Just don't say anything really stupid, or you're toast.
The comment threads for my posts look like the inside of a port-o-potty. The Stranger is downright reasonable by comparison.
First off, you SUCK! There, an empty word on my part to get you over your fear. Granted, people get pissy when their personal beliefs are shunned and scoffed at, but get over.
No big deal, have fun today, and I'm sure you'll do fine.
(I'll back you up)
I totally feel you on this one, for pretty much the exact same three reasons. I love to debate in real life, but somehow on the internet it feels like I am at this weird disadvantage and "moronic, obnoxious assholes" as you put it have more power.
Last night I had a dream involving one of the Freaky Friday posters posting a comment I made to mock it. If that isn't retarded, I don't know what is.
Show us yer titz!!!1!!@$^&*&
(See? How bad was that? Your skin is getting thicker already.)
Yeah I love when you spend a really long time on a well thought out and meaningful reply only to have the other person respond by personally attacking the virtual you they know nothing about.
Although this usually means you're right and they have no response other than to hurl obscenities at you...
Just post about your yellow, chunky cum and you'll be a SLOG hero. See how easy?
As long as I live, I will never understand why people get bummed out by blog comments.
I don't feel good about any of the comments I post unless someone flames me.
I guess what I'm saying is, grow that thick skin and fast!
Mmmm, tits. . . .
To quote PA:
Normal Person + Anonymity + Audience = Total Fuckwad
and stuff
The internet is just the interior of people's minds exposed. Outside, we filter our actual beliefs out of social training. The internet is simply unfiltered thoughts, bile and all.
Like the real world, the key is to take what you read with a grain of salt and realize that anyone writing anything can be anything from completely right to completely wrong at any time, and that to take shit from Anon isn't necessarily an indictment of your character.
you are now officially my favorite freaky friday slogger. i am always talking about my love/hate relationship with the good ol' internet.
thank you exelizabeth, i love you.
are they paying you by the word
AA might help
@1,2,4, and especially @9 & 10
I'm right there with you. I think we all are deep down.
People are brave and bold on the interweb.
Those same people usually are much more docile and less scary when meeting in person.
Besides... you know that is part of the learning curve that the regular staffers want you to get a taste of. Most people don't realize all the shit they go thru on a daily basis.
How many of us would willingly take the crap we dole out here day after day?
I know I know... the regulars staffers are just a bunch of eaher sadists.
Good luck and no worries!
I don't know where you will be later, but I will be drinking heavily in solidarity.
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