Why Is Everyone on the Internet So Angry?

This article is currently irrelevant to QZ given the relatively peaceful discourse here lately ... But ...

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-is-everyone-on-the-internet-so-angry/

"These days, online comments "are extraordinarily aggressive, without resolving anything," said Art Markman, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. "At the end of it you can't possibly feel like anybody heard you. Having a strong emotional experience that doesn't resolve itself in any healthy way can't be a good thing."

If it's so unsatisfying and unhealthy, why do we do it?"

[QUOTE] [b]Panchgani wrote:[/b]

If it's so unsatisfying and unhealthy, why do we do it?"
[/QUOTE]

I guess, just because we can...? Where else can anybody pour out all his (or her) spite and frustration anonymously?

That's relative: QueenZone is quite peaceful as QueenOnline or Quora, not like 4chan or Menéame.

I dont think QZ members are angry, at least the guys with huge knowledge are always polite and niece if you talk to them properly... At least in my limited experience!

I usually dont post anything if I dont have any input/question/opinion or something to say so my experience may be different.

[QUOTE] [b]Panchgani wrote:[/b]

If it's so unsatisfying and unhealthy, why do we do it?"
[/QUOTE]

Probably because it's not necessarily unsatisfying and unhealthy for everyone, and/or because not everyone's (consciously or not) seeking satisfying and/or healthy activities, habits or experiences.

I could say the same about smoking: I find it disgusting, smelly, dangerous and unnecessarily expensive. Yet millions of people do it. Drinking as well: you poison your organs, act like an idiot, smell awful, spend ridiculous amounts of money, may get aggressive, tedious, emotional, even life-threatening under some circumstances, yet millions of people do it, myself included.

Same for nearly everything: spouse-beating, binge eating, polygamy, emotional blackmail...

I'd say, other than some tragic (yet relatively sporadic) cases of people committing suicide because of on-line bullying, being angry on the internet is far, far less destructive than other ways of sublimation (such as the ones described earlier). It doesn't mean we should encourage it, of course, but there are bigger fish at the moment.

Anger, at the end of the day, is your friend. It's not a nice friend, but it's a very honest one: it tells you something's not working properly. That's where you can either try to suss out what that is and do something about it, or simply give in to your wrath and take it on yourself and/or others, for which there are quite a few alternatives (trolling being one of them). At the end of the day, it's up to the individual to make a choice.

RRRRRRRRRRAAAEEEERRRRAAAARRRRGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!


I'm SEETHING with anger and I hate you all! !!

I'll eat your grandchildren! Grrraargh!!!






*(just kidding)


I suppose it's a way of venting. On political discourse sites and all kinds of crap (sports etc) it can be a way of getting validation in numbers (likes etc) as lame as it can be.

Sometimes it leads to a valid discourse.

Of course what is knowledge without action and application?

Remember LIFE OF BRIAN and the People's front of Judea?

[QUOTE] [b]Panchgani wrote:[/b]

If it's so unsatisfying and unhealthy, why do we do it?"
[/QUOTE]

Being angry on the internet is unsatisfying?? I disagree with that!

And that makes me angry! (lol....not really)

I find it's quite enjoyable at times to go off on an angry rant about something (not that I do that all that often!)....and calling someone a total idiot online is much safer than doing it to their face....lol

[QUOTE] [b]matt z wrote:[/b]

RRRRRRRRRRAAAEEEERRRRAAAARRRRGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!


I'm SEETHING with anger and I hate you all! !!

I'll eat your grandchildren! Grrraargh!!!


[/QUOTE]

"Good, I can feel your anger. I am defenseless. Take your weapon. Strike me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!"

:P

[QUOTE] [b]Sebastian wrote:[/b]
Anger, at the end of the day, is your friend. It's not a nice friend, but it's a very honest one: it tells you something's not working properly.[/QUOTE]

Much like pain, I'd say....not fun, but it's your body's way of saying 'hey, something's not right here!' (had some experience with that lately, ya know...lol)

[QUOTE] [b]The King Of Rhye wrote: [/b] [QUOTE] [b]Sebastian wrote:[/b] Anger, at the end of the day, is your friend. It's not a nice friend, but it's a very honest one: it tells you something's not working properly.[/QUOTE] Much like pain, I'd say....not fun, but it's your body's way of saying 'hey, something's not right here!' [b](had some experience with that lately, ya know...lol)[/b] [/QUOTE] NO!! WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU??!! WHY DIDN'T YOU TOLD US, YOUR DEAR INTERNET FRIENDZ???!!! DOES A RABID GLAMBERT (which you found in the street) HIRED YOU TO RECORD AN ADAM LAMBERT SHOW???!!! (Just a joke C|8cD )

Beta............what are you smoking, man? (and can I have some? lol0

[QUOTE] [b]The King Of Rhye wrote:[/b]

Beta............what are you smoking, man? (and can I have some? lol0[/QUOTE]

Cannabis suppositories? I do not recommend 'em, pal.

(?)

Sometimes anger is a way of expressing oneself. It can even be helpful to some extent.