Re:The Deliberate Awfulness of Social Media
by intended on Thursday September 20, 2018 @04:24AM
(#18030623)
I disagree in precision, but not with your direction.
YES, these behaviors must arise in any group of thinking beings.
No, this is not like what happened before.
The Internet and social media dramatically accelerate the creation of new groups and the rate of polarization.
On the forums I am on, I have seen tiny social cracks become ongoing flame wars in the span of a few months. These are fringe opinions, with strong emotional components, become battle lines.
But worst of all, it is that the underlying issue loses all hope of ever being discussed peacefully or maturely.
A valid fringe issue, which would eventually have its day in the Sun, is now a point to test identity
These became issues, when earlier it was solved by the slower pace of conversation and discussion. Things are getting inflamed due to the medium. IT carries little nuance or context, and it amplifies the most acerbic and attention grabbing messages.
It makes things worse in a way human beings and cable companies alone could not.
YES, these behaviors must arise in any group of thinking beings.
No, this is not like what happened before.
The Internet and social media dramatically accelerate the creation of new groups and the rate of polarization.
On the forums I am on, I have seen tiny social cracks become ongoing flame wars in the span of a few months. These are fringe opinions, with strong emotional components, become battle lines.
But worst of all, it is that the underlying issue loses all hope of ever being discussed peacefully or maturely.
A valid fringe issue, which would eventually have its day in the Sun, is now a point to test identity
These became issues, when earlier it was solved by the slower pace of conversation and discussion. Things are getting inflamed due to the medium. IT carries little nuance or context, and it amplifies the most acerbic and attention grabbing messages.
It makes things worse in a way human beings and cable companies alone could not.