Down and Dirty on the Internet

I don’t get it. Following fast on the heels of my last Facebook/Internet rant, here’s another, sparked by a local organization’s recent local event and FB page. There’s been a growing, pervasive and increasing lack of manners in cyber space and the world. This might result from a general dumbing down of society or failure of education --- or perhaps there’s just less attention to what Mama taught ya. Or should have.

Believe what you like --- which is actually a big part of the whole “let freedom ring” thing that I highly favor --- but a growing lack of ethical education might have something to do with this insidiously increasing lack of manners. Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices”. It’s something we graciously do for others. Don’t cost nuthin’.

Unless selective censorship rears its ugly head, there’s almost unlimited freedom --- there’s that word again --- in the world of Internet chat rooms and post threads for people to make rude remarks and vent hatred. I frequently ask myself, “Why?” Is there that much anger, frustration and need to lash out? --- Which doesn’t make it OK. Just because we have the Constitutional freedom to say anything, is it right to do so? Are hatred and rudeness necessary/effective to make the point? Will it benefit anyone, even the author? Do people have that much disposable free time? I don’t.

Zack’s theory is that anonymous Internet comments --- can contain anything without deservedly resulting in mouths washed out with soap or wrists slapped. It becomes habit. Perhaps there’s something seductive about it that creepily smacks of power/control. And people get away with it. Some venture into the real world to do the same --- where they may be held accountable for words/ actions without the comfortable cushion of anonymity/distance provided by phone or computer. It must seem shocking when suddenly confronted with consequences of action --- which still exist in most of society.

In a few places, we’re seeing fewer consequences for outrageous/illegal behavior in the name of various causes. I suppose time will tell if this is a successful tactic for instituting meaningful societal change. Don’t worry, I’m not about to get all political. I don’t do that. Not my job.

I’ll get over it, but I’m increasingly bothered at the increasing incidence of rude, online commentary. I don’t jump in unless it’s something positive/personal like birthday /anniversary wishes, congratulations or “What a cute kid/dog” or whatever. I don’t have time. Additionally, there’s that whole “like farming” and ‘click bait” thing on public posts that I avoid like the plague. Hit “like”, comment or click on certain pages, and you’re targeted for ads. See previous column. You might have noticed frequent

You might have noticed frequently updated Covid information on a local county organization’s FB page. I asked for a point of clarification early on, received a sensible answer, said “thanks” and went on my merry way. Surprisingly, controversy recently erupted on this site over numbers acquired and reported in good faith --- cases recovered, how many positives tested locally are actual county residents and so forth. Information from different sources is often hard to come by and slightly different. Is this a reason to be rude? Seriously? Fact: even here, positive tests are rising. Let’s make it easy and assume it’s possible that we all may be exposed at some point. There are asymptomatic / pre-symptomatic people in our midst who will spread Covid. And then, astonishingly --- the controversy turned to free masks. Really? If you don’t want them, don’t go get them. End of story.

How each of us handles this novel situation is an individual matter. If you need to stay home as much as possible, you hopefully have that option. If you must work or indulge in essential activities and wear a mask to protect others, great. If someone offers you free masks that you don’t want them, just say no thanks or remain silent. If you think they’re a government plot, political control, stupid, useless or uncomfortable --- and choose not to wear one to hopefully protect others, that’s your right. But it’s not recommended --- and please stay away from me and mine.

Even the experts don’t have all the answers. They aren’t certain of everything that works and doesn’t. There are best guess recommendations based on available evidence. Many will follow guidelines to increase our chances. Others, not so much. Hopefully, more will be known with time. Good luck to us all. Studies show that spewing hatred isn’t effective for mental health. Or much of anything else.