Author Topic: Has the Internet exposed humanity's stupidity or has it magnified it? (Read 2141 times)

Rman · « **on:** March 06, 2009, 02:39:03 PM »

I've never had such idiotic discussions IRL as I had on the internet in various forums, chatrooms, and the like over the past 13 years. What is it about the Internet that diminishes reasoning ability?

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2009, 02:44:49 PM »

Anonymity.

demi · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2009, 02:46:12 PM »

The internet is awesome because it lets me play NES games on a browser anywhere in the world. Go suck on that for a while

ToxicAdam · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2009, 02:46:39 PM »

Quote from: Rman on March 06, 2009, 02:39:03 PM

I've never had such idiotic discussions IRL

You should work at a truck stop or in retail for awhile.

If anything, the internet allows you to have discussion on politics, religion and sex that you could never have IRL.

Reb · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2009, 02:51:59 PM »

Quote from: distantmantra on March 06, 2009, 02:44:49 PM

Anonymity.

Lack of social consequence.

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2009, 02:52:57 PM »

the internet is an open forum for every person in the world with a mental instability and a computer

it is both hilarious and horrifying to watch

Rman · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2009, 02:54:12 PM »

Quote from: demi on March 06, 2009, 02:46:12 PM

The internet is awesome because it lets me play NES games on a browser anywhere in the world. Go suck on that for a while

I'd agree

I'm just talking about user interactions.

TA, I think it depends on the setting. Obviously some environments aren't suited for candid discussion, like some workplaces. But I never felt I could not have frank discussion on the topics you mentioned IRL. It's about what's the appropriate forum, basically.

demi · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2009, 02:56:25 PM »

Sex is taboo IRL. I couldn't just up and ask muckhole how good his girlfriend gives head, but online it's ok.

Speaking of which

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2009, 02:58:49 PM »

where else outside tijuana could i see a complete stranger get fucked to death by a horse or eat their own shit

Dickie Dee · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2009, 03:09:23 PM »

You're somewhat a product of your environment, so being exposed to the ones around you conditions you for certain viewpoints.

Whatever independence you have of that, you also will tend to gravitate towards people of like minds and are used to certain kinds of people.

The internet will allows people to get through who might not normally get through your RL filter.

Plus there are lolbertarians and racists who realize they'd be laughed at in RL but on the internet they can just type and type and type.

Sideshow Raheem · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2009, 03:36:11 PM »

Dear Gaming Age:

Please help me not to have delicious, meaningless sex.

Also...

I just sawed off my left arm. Should I tape it back on or go to the doctor?

And ...

How inappropriate would it buy to buy your mother a dildo for her birthday?

Sincerely,
Me

Eric P · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2009, 03:44:08 PM »

Quote from: Eel O'Brian on March 06, 2009, 02:58:49 PM

where else outside tijuana could i see a complete stranger get fucked to death by a horse or eat their own shit

tuscon

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #12 on:** March 06, 2009, 06:24:09 PM »

i know where i'm vacationing this year

Human Snorenado · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2009, 11:00:25 PM »

Quote from: Eel O'Brian on March 06, 2009, 02:58:49 PM

where else outside tijuana could i see a complete stranger get fucked to death by a horse or eat their own shit

Ah, Tijuana. The REAL happiest place on earth.

treythemovie · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2009, 06:18:08 AM »

There's fanboyism in sports teams, trolling in religion and flame wars in Science. The internet brings nothing new to the table in this regard.

brawndolicious · « **Reply #15 on:** March 07, 2009, 06:38:16 AM »

About half of my middle-eastern friends are 9/11 truthers so it's hard to say exactly how much more noise than sound that interwebbers are actually making. Forums definitely exposed me to a wider variety of both ignorant and intelligent people though and that helped me to learn a lot about human behavior and whatever I guess. So that's a benefit.

I think stupid people will always be looking for the biggest, most efficient soap box possible and that most other people realize this. The internet makes it a lot harder to measure a person's stupidity.

Olivia Wilde Homo · « **Reply #16 on:** March 07, 2009, 08:02:11 AM »

On the second or third day on the internet, I discovered tubgirl. That is where the decline began.

Srsly, it is about the same. A lot of my friends are decently informed but being in the Midwest, I've come across my share of bumpkins, gun nuts, and the like. A small amount of informed people, a larger amount of less informed but pleasant people, and a huge amount of loudmouth and/or ignorant idiots.

MMaRsu · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2009, 12:52:04 PM »

Eh I get annoyed when people apparently hate other people for dumb reasons

Reb · « **Reply #18 on:** March 07, 2009, 01:16:16 PM »

Oh god, he's here again. $:-\$

huckleberry · « **Reply #19 on:** March 07, 2009, 05:54:09 PM »

I read this thread right before I went into work this morning...and it came back to me after a slight altercation with my first customer of the day.

I think it has alot to do with consequences.....if people think they can say it without someone calling them on it then they will. Even on the internet someone getting called out for bullshit isn't as embarrassing as someone doing it in real life.....when you work in retail or anywhere that someone feels comfortable they can say angry things to you without fear of retaliation (whether it is physical or verbal) they will.

Kinda sucks. :'(

Napoleonthechimp · « **Reply #20 on:** March 07, 2009, 06:01:01 PM »

The internet allows horror shows like this foul ogre, an audience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDQ2h4hrors

MMaRsu · « **Reply #21 on:** March 24, 2009, 01:32:19 PM »

Quote from: Rebiak on March 07, 2009, 01:16:16 PM

Oh god, he's here again. $:-\$

Go and cry in a corner

Reb · « **Reply #22 on:** March 24, 2009, 01:40:30 PM »

Ha, stupidity exposed.

Oblivion · « **Reply #23 on:** March 24, 2009, 05:32:59 PM »

I wouldn't necessarily say magnified (I don't think there are that many people that converted to pedophilia after seeing lolis get peed on, who weren't already predisposed to such things) but rather exposed and organized humanity's stupider/darker sides.

Bildi · « **Reply #24 on:** March 24, 2009, 07:09:41 PM »

MMaRsu annihilated.

lordmaji · « **Reply #25 on:** March 24, 2009, 10:44:46 PM »

FA pretty much stated how I felt about it.

It's a double edge sword. It gives idiots a voice, but it also offers knowledge for those seeking it.

MMaRsu · « **Reply #26 on:** March 25, 2009, 02:59:14 PM »

Quote from: Kosma on March 24, 2009, 01:35:40 PM

WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU MMRASU.

YOU WAITED WEEKS TO POST THAT?

I dont know it was weeks ago, I just saw that like yesterday

.

What a zinger huh?

Tauntaun · « **Reply #27 on:** March 25, 2009, 03:15:58 PM »

Quote from: lordmaji on March 24, 2009, 10:44:46 PM

FA pretty much stated how I felt about it.

It's a double edge sword. It gives idiots a voice, but it also offers knowledge for those seeking it.

And for dude's who married hawt redheads to e-high five.

Demi, link plz.

BobbyRobby · « **Reply #28 on:** March 25, 2009, 03:42:24 PM »

i think it has made a lot of people less cool. you aren't forced to have as much social interaction. you can just show off what cool bands you like on your facebook.

from how my dad makes it seem, it was pretty common to ask girls on dates out of the blue in the late 50s/early 60s. today, people are so introverted and lame that if you did that you'd be considered a creep.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #29 on:** March 25, 2009, 03:49:56 PM »

Quote from: BobbyRobby on March 25, 2009, 03:42:24 PM

i think it has made a lot of people less cool. you aren't forced to have as much social interaction. you can just show off what cool bands you like on your facebook.

from how my dad makes it seem, it was pretty common to ask girls on dates out of the blue in the late 50s/early 60s. today, people are so introverted and lame that if you did that you'd be considered a creep.

damn it. i was about to ask flannel girl out

BobbyRobby · « **Reply #30 on:** March 25, 2009, 04:01:32 PM »

Quote from: Malek on March 25, 2009, 03:49:56 PM

Quote from: BobbyRobby on March 25, 2009, 03:42:24 PM
i think it has made a lot of people less cool. you aren't forced to have as much social interaction. you can just show off what cool bands you like on your facebook.

from how my dad makes it seem, it was pretty common to ask girls on dates out of the blue in the late 50s/early 60s. today, people are so introverted and lame that if you did that you'd be considered a creep.

damn it. i was about to ask flannel girl out

think of the silver-lining. if you train yourself and become even halfway decent at social interaction, you'll be ahead of most of your peers.

Bloodwake · « **Reply #31 on:** March 25, 2009, 04:03:14 PM »

Quote from: Malek on March 25, 2009, 03:49:56 PM

Quote from: BobbyRobby on March 25, 2009, 03:42:24 PM
i think it has made a lot of people less cool. you aren't forced to have as much social interaction. you can just show off what cool bands you like on your facebook.

from how my dad makes it seem, it was pretty common to ask girls on dates out of the blue in the late 50s/early 60s. today, people are so introverted and lame that if you did that you'd be considered a creep.

damn it. i was about to ask flannel girl out

If you don't fucking do this, though, how the fuck are you going to get anywhere with women?

T234 · « **Reply #32 on:** March 25, 2009, 04:05:19 PM »

I've found just talking to people kinda helps. What doesn't help is telling a chick you like that "women are just giant mysteries with fun parts attached".

Bloodwake · « **Reply #33 on:** March 25, 2009, 04:39:44 PM »

Quote from: T234 on March 25, 2009, 04:05:19 PM

I've found just talking to people kinda helps. What doesn't help is telling a chick you like that "women are just giant mysteries with fun parts attached".

Propagandhim · « **Reply #34 on:** March 25, 2009, 05:11:06 PM »

There are certain corners of the internet that I just do not go to. In all seriousness, I avoid youtube comments like the plague. If I have to cover my eyes to avoid seeing them on my screen, I'll do it.

Boogie · « **Reply #35 on:** March 26, 2009, 02:12:33 AM »

Don Flamenco · « **Reply #36 on:** March 26, 2009, 03:29:32 AM »

exposed

Fresh Prince · « **Reply #37 on:** March 26, 2009, 03:40:45 AM »

On one hand it's made knowledge quick and accessible but then again its made its value shallow (twitter, wikipedia etc) thus magnifying stupidity.

drew · « **Reply #38 on:** March 26, 2009, 04:35:50 AM »

Quote from: demi on March 06, 2009, 02:46:12 PM

The internet is awesome because it lets me play NES games on a browser anywhere in the world. Go suck on that for a while

link pls kthx

OptimoPeach · « **Reply #39 on:** March 26, 2009, 04:57:45 AM »

^ http://lmgtfy.com/?q=nes+emulator+browser&l=1

Propagandhim · « **Reply #40 on:** March 26, 2009, 09:59:15 AM »

Oooh I'm gonna play Ghosts N' Goblins

*30 minutes later*

Fuck Ghosts N' Goblins.

..and Battletoads. What Hitler made these games?

Barry Egan · « **Reply #41 on:** March 26, 2009, 10:36:17 AM »

the only NES game I've found that is still remotely fun to play is Rygar.

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Author Topic: Has the Internet exposed humanity's stupidity or has it magnified it? (Read 2141 times)