Internet has offered us a lot – from free of cost notes on books, and extensive material for proper research work, to social media and emails. It has given us the power to enlighten ourselves before we argue our minds out in full public glare. It has allowed us to make informed choices about products and electronic commodities. And more recently, it has brought shopping stores closer to us – and just a click away.
A blissful life it is, all thanks to Internet.
Yet, we see how, in some way and at some point in life, people misuse the net by spreading hate messages and pumping up the online hate culture. There are times when innocent people get trapped in the dirty business of blame-game and name-calling, just because some random individual thinks it to be the best way of showing their anger and dissatisfaction.
The internet was provided to facilitate a healthy environment – not bring the tension that already exists in the outside world, to the interiors of one’s bedroom. Instead of having a non-aggressive discussion where solutions are sought and created, we’re moving towards a situation where everything ends with expletives being thrown right, left, and centre.
Agreed, that hate culture exists because of political, social, economic instability – but fighting it out in the wrong way only incites more trouble. Hate culture against men, against women, against a group of people, or ideas, or even ways of life need to be tackled through an impersonal outlook. A personal interpretation must take place as long as the individual is open to multiplicity in viewpoints – because then the person is clearly ready for detailed discussions, and is not likely to jump down people’s throats at the slightest provocation.
It is obvious that while pondering over contentious issues, one must be level-headed so that different opinions can be weighed. Hate culture, however, manages to do something entirely different. People engaging in this act usually portray an uncouth behaviour, who only wish to bring the other down. And in most cases, the ones who shout the loudest, are the most clueless about the given situation. As the saying goes – empty vessels make the most noise.
Which is exactly what Gladstone says in his December 12, 2012 post on Cracked, an online blog – According to his post:
“Many people avoid…conflict because they’re too arrogant to believe someone else could be right. Others avoid it knowing deep down that they don’t have the ability to defend their beliefs and don’t care to understand them. The thing is, both times I’ve written about this, I’ve explained that, of course, arguing with some people isn’t worth it. There are loud-mouthed imbeciles who only cast insults and don’t debate ideas. But countless people took offense anyway and explained why they don’t want confrontations with people who are just loud-mouthed insulting blowhards.”
He also says how he often becomes as easy target for some women, and many other belligerent individuals online, simply because they find his words unpalatable.
On a personal note though, it seems that instead of hitting the bull’s eye through angry words, it’s best to mock those ideas that trouble us the most. Satire has always been the way forward – its cutting, its to-the-point, and it delivers the thought beautifully. Plus, we also get the opportunity to scorn those in question. Not that I wish to promote hate culture here myself, but just a thought to ponder upon!
Picture Credits: Google Images
