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Someone On The Internet Was Mean To Me

Here we go again:

[A]t the end of the day, most trolls wouldn’t have the gall to say to another person’s face half the things they anonymously post on the Internet. Instead of waiting around for human nature to change, let’s start to rein in bad behavior by promoting accountability. Content providers, stop allowing anonymous comments.

Ironically, those words were written by Julie Zhuo, a product design manager at Facebook. Correct me if I am wrong, but my impression was that some of the nastiest online comments can be found at . . . Facebook. In any event, I tackled this nonsensical stuff back in 2007. For people who care about such things, I have a suggestion - don't read comments sections of blogs. Or only read them at blogs that take up one of Zhuo's suggestions. It's easy enough to avoid nastiness on the internet - don't get involved.

Speaking for me only

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  • Display: Sort:
    but but (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 08:47:13 AM EST
    Now that phucks me up (none / 0) (#4)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 08:50:00 AM EST
    more than anything :)

    Parent
    Cute (none / 0) (#17)
    by republicratitarian on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:00:10 AM EST
    So if I registered at a web site under (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by ruffian on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 09:19:19 AM EST
    a realistic sounding fake name it would make me nicer? Or does she propose identity checks also?

    The worst comments are on newspapers... (5.00 / 1) (#11)
    by magster on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 09:20:50 AM EST
    like the Denver Post.  That is where the tea-partiers hang out.

    I agree (none / 0) (#12)
    by CST on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 09:24:52 AM EST
    actually I haven't really seen nasty comments on fb.  But I can only imagine what it must be like for the pre-teen crowd.

    Newspapers on the other hand...  I dunno why but they seem to bring out the worst of the web.

    Parent

    I agree (none / 0) (#13)
    by ruffian on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 09:26:23 AM EST
    My cube mate and I were just looking at some stunningly nasty comments on the Orlando Sentinel site. And the guy used a proper name - whether it was his real name or not, no one knows. Which is what is silly about the whole 'anonymity' issue.

    Parent
    Youtube... (none / 0) (#21)
    by kdog on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:16:08 AM EST
    has some real winners commenting too.

    And as BTD and Dadler can attest, some of the best sh*t can be found in internet poker chat boxes...some guy told me to wash my v*gina once, so I started killing the dude with self-deprecating & kind somments and he just got nastier and nastier...funny funny stuff.

    Parent

    some of the poker comments are (none / 0) (#22)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:18:17 AM EST
    distracting-- I don't know how people can type so fast!

    Parent
    yes (none / 0) (#24)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:30:12 AM EST
    youtube

    in general it takes about 3 to 5 comments before you get a completely racist or insane one.

    Parent

    Donk! (none / 0) (#63)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:32:23 PM EST
    People just... (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by kdog on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 09:40:00 AM EST
    need to learn to appreciate the (sometimes)unintentional comedy of the 21st Century Internet Arsehole.  

    I mean think about it...you're gonna let some nerd glued to a screen & keyboard hurt your feelings?  People take knucklehead internet bantering that seriously?  

    I really don't get it...if somebody gets under your skin, laugh it off or log off.

    I'm offended :) (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by republicratitarian on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:02:29 AM EST
    Let's discuss this in Dec. (none / 0) (#31)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 12:10:54 PM EST
    I will try very hard to follow your suggestions!

    Parent
    We've got a full agenda! (none / 0) (#35)
    by kdog on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 01:35:00 PM EST
    I just hope we don't part ways with you thinking "talk about internet arseholes"...:)

    Parent
    Ha. I will be very disappointed if (none / 0) (#36)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 01:37:13 PM EST
    you turn out to be this nebbish who barely utters a word!

    Parent
    BTW, two close female friends will be (none / 0) (#37)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 01:40:00 PM EST
    in town. They have no interest in the free concert.  But when I mentioned I would be meeting a guy from "my blog," they expressed concern.  I sd., I've know this guy for a long time!  Not true, of course.  But, wouldn't anyone be curious?  Anyhow, I'll be there and hope you will too.

    Parent
    I can relate... (none / 0) (#42)
    by kdog on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:15:22 PM EST
    when I was tellin' one of my boys about Alabama Jeff's visit (since scrapped) and my plan to meet "this dude I met on the internet", he was convinced I had gone mad, and warned that I would awaken the next day in a bathtub full of ice cubes and missing a kidney.

    I think our friends have watched too many movies and/or Dateline NBC:)

    Parent

    I met a DK diarist in St. Louis a couple (none / 0) (#46)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:30:53 PM EST
    years ago.  Even rode around in his car.  He could be a musicologist but isn't.  Very interesting.

    Parent
    Hey, my kidney deal fell through... (none / 0) (#47)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:41:46 PM EST
    I'll be up after some renegotiations!

    Parent
    LOL... (none / 0) (#51)
    by kdog on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:45:19 PM EST
    Make sure you get a good price...mine can take a lickin' and keep on tickin':)

    Parent
    I'll cut you in (none / 0) (#52)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:48:04 PM EST
    on the profits ;-)

    Parent
    Kdog, I'm a little miffed (none / 0) (#53)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:54:21 PM EST
    because I missed out meeting you and missed out meeting Jim in Tunica.

    Remember the TV show "The Prisoner?" I'm beginning to think I'm Number Seven. Every time I make plans to leave, something comes up like a big balloon stopping me.

    Last year's Colombia trip was almost no notice, because my work building was condemned, and I was telecommuting. I decided I like telecommuting from Colombia, though.

    Parent

    Ain't that always the way.... (none / 0) (#54)
    by kdog on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:07:52 PM EST
    our day will come brother...even if a Yankee needs to tour the deep south.

    Where is the nearest border crossing to Mexico to your neck of the woods anyway?  El Paso?  I'm trying to come up with a 2011 trip to see the special lady that doesn't involve a blasted airplane....taking my time by rail/bus/auto, even boat.  If it is even do-able with vacation time and cashish restraints.

    Parent

    Didn't you see the recent NYT article (none / 0) (#55)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:12:40 PM EST
    re driving from U.S. into Mexico?  Mexican government recomments travel in convoys.  Even my brother, who wants to replenish his Cuban cigar inventory, is deterred.  We are going to Santa Barbara and seeking out good wine instead.  Meanwhile, the hotel in Ensenada says my deposit is now a credit, good for a year.  Awwwk.

    Parent
    Can't live in fear kid... (none / 0) (#61)
    by kdog on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:26:12 PM EST
    The bus is my more likely option once across the border...I wouldn't wanna gamble on my old whip  making it as far as GDL, and I can't rent cars...no cc.

    Maybe drive then leave the whip somewheres in Texas for pick-up on the way back.

    Parent

    So true. It is quitely lovely in (none / 0) (#62)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:31:04 PM EST
    Ensenada just before Christmas.  I did talk to the guy clearing tables at restaurant in L.A.  He is flying home to Guadalara for the holidays.  Sd. no amount of money would persuade him to drive.  Interesting.

    Parent
    I'm more leery... (none / 0) (#70)
    by kdog on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:50:36 PM EST
    of the constant topes topes topes on the roads than any violence...I'd lose an axel.

    After our road tripping through the Yucatan, that is one spanish word I will never forget...f*ckin' topes.

    Parent

    I know. You really, really have to slow (none / 0) (#72)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:55:42 PM EST
    down for those mountainous obstructions.

    Parent
    Many years ago (none / 0) (#76)
    by sj on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 04:57:39 PM EST
    My sister and a friend drove to Mazatlan.  (I know, it sounds crazy now.  It was pretty crazy then, too).  Anyway, the road sign they still remember is "vado".  Which I think is "dip".

    Parent
    get across the border and then (none / 0) (#75)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 04:10:17 PM EST
    fly to GDL. Check Aeromexico (think that's the name for flights from Matamoros or Piedras Negras to GDL. Don't take your car, Mexican insurance isn't the best, and 'accidents' are still a moneymaker for Mexican drivers near the border.

    I've served in combat on three continents, and I won't drive from the border to interior cities in Mexico right now, not even in a convoy. I was in Medellin when Carlos Escobar was active. We (US personnel) travelled by aircraft between cities, not even in Colombian Army convoys. North Mexico, especially North Central and Northwest Mexico, remind me of Colombia during the bad times.

    Flights within Mexico should be fairly cheap on short notice. I paid double booking an interior Colombia flight online from the US. PAid cash for the return interior flight, half price.

    Parent

    Let me know if you need good rec's for (none / 0) (#71)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:52:58 PM EST
    SB wineries.

    Parent
    Always. Although my brother is (none / 0) (#73)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:56:15 PM EST
    the wine buff.  I just drink it!

    Parent
    Staying just in SB the city? (none / 0) (#74)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 04:04:16 PM EST
    Or heading up to Solvang, Sta Ynez, Buellton, etc., area in SB County?

    Parent
    Santa Ynez. Avoid Solvang at all costs. (none / 0) (#79)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 07:00:41 PM EST
    I love this place: Cold Springs Tavern

    Parent
    Cold Springs Tavern? You and all your (none / 0) (#80)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Dec 01, 2010 at 01:33:21 PM EST
    bearded Harley biker buddies?! My mental picture of you has just taken a huge turn! :-)

    Some great wineries up thar are Beckman, Rusack, Cold Heaven, Melville, Ampelos, La Vie, Jalama, Fiddlehead, Sanford, Lafond...

    Parent

    Brownsville--Matamoros (none / 0) (#57)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:15:52 PM EST
    on the coast, or San Antonio (nearest big city)- Piedras Negras. Crescent from NY to the Big Easy, then the Sunset Limited to San Antonio. I think you'll have to spend the night in New Orleans... hope that doesn't disappoint! All that on Amtrak.

    Parent
    Now I'm getting a little worried. But only (none / 0) (#56)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:14:36 PM EST
    really need one kidney--correct?

    Parent
    Heh! (none / 0) (#58)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:17:18 PM EST
    I wish I would be there with the four of y'all, but I am the kind who clams up for no apparent reason, lol.

    And yes, one suffices ;)

    Parent

    Oh, please join us. And you can go (none / 0) (#60)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:20:34 PM EST
    see the Christmas (holiday) tree at Rockefeller Center.  

    Parent
    You are a funny, funny lady.... :-) (none / 0) (#77)
    by vml68 on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 05:11:33 PM EST
    I wish I could meet you when you are in town.

    Parent
    Facebook (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:00:58 AM EST
    would like us all to be our real selves on the internet, so they can collect info about us and sell it.

    Jeez, BTD, you were mean to (none / 0) (#1)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 08:41:37 AM EST
    me some time ago. LEaaaaVE meeeeeee aloneeeeeee!

    By the way and OT, War Eagle1 What are your early thoughs on the SECCG? I'm not betting just rooting.

    Someone down the street (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 08:49:26 AM EST
    has one of those really cool tall thin flag banners in their yard that is orange and blue and a depiction of tiger eyes.  We honk everytime we drive by now.  In honor of Joshua and his team this year, the Christmas lights on the house will be orange and blue :)

    Parent
    you know (none / 0) (#9)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 09:08:10 AM EST
    if you want to talk about that should be allowed, I think there should be laws dealing with clashing sports colors.

    Parent
    I don't understand how anyone (none / 0) (#5)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 08:55:49 AM EST
    can mess with you facebook since it has that block option, and I can hide anyone's comments I don't like or delete them.....it is MY facebook for God's sake.  Someone was trash talking another German Shepherd person and their dog that kept winning something fierce and it was showing up on my wall, so I just deleted her and her best friends forever from my damned friend list.  She is a very big name person in the doggy world and apparently outgrew her own britches or something and I don't give a damn, she is gone from my page.  She should be gone from a lot more pages so she can learn something maybe, but she isn't.  It is my page though and I'm a newbie and I owe nobody anything.

    I am not a Facebook person (none / 0) (#6)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 08:57:58 AM EST
    So I don't know much about it, but I do know that it is pretty well known for having vicious comments.

    My point being that "anonymity" is not the big issue.

    Parent

    Very true in my experience (none / 0) (#7)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 09:00:19 AM EST
    Anonymity is not the big issue

    Parent
    this is great actually (none / 0) (#8)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 09:06:37 AM EST
    THERE you are, peacefully reading an article or watching a video on the Internet. You finish, find it thought-provoking, and scroll down to the comments section to see what other people thought. And there, lurking among dozens of well-intentioned opinions, is a troll.

    "How much longer is the media going to milk this beyond tired story?" "These guys are frauds." "Your idiocy is disturbing." "We're just trying to make the world a better place one brainwashed, ignorant idiot at a time." These are the trollish comments, all from anonymous sources, that you could have found after reading a CNN article on the rescue of the Chilean miners.

    the opening paragraphs tells you all you need to know about this person.
    they are one of the ones who can not abide anything happening anywhere in the world or most especially on "their" internet that they do not approve of.

    it simply should not be allowed.

    and you point about anonymity is exactly right.  in what universe do these comments NOT get posted with names attached.
    pathetic.  

    Facebook is different because you (none / 0) (#14)
    by ruffian on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 09:35:44 AM EST
    choose to register there under your real name for the purpose of connecting with people you know, or maybe would like to know, in real life. It has now evolved into a site for a lot of open public opinion blogging as well, and I have to say I am a lot more circumspect on facebook due to privacy and employment issues. I don't use it as a forum for political discussions, though anyone paying attention can see where I stand - I comment on David Sirota's threads occasionally, for example. It means my facebook identity is only a portion of my real life, and that is just fine. I use it mainly for social purposes.

    It's a big www -  every site does not have to have the same methods as facebook.

    Except me (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 09:58:08 AM EST
    I am actually my Yellow Labrador Retriever on Facebook.  (I like my privacy).  My friends and family know who I am, but Facebook can't collect any data on me.

    Of course, my political leaning:  Yellow Dog Democrat, of course.  That's about the only true thing I've posted about myself.

    So I can trash talk if I want to.  However, it would be silly to trash talk my family and friends....

    Parent

    That's a good idea (none / 0) (#27)
    by ruffian on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:40:33 AM EST
    but I kind of like to be found by people I have not heard from for a long time. I can block them if I don't like that they found me.

    Yes - I save the trash talking of my family and friends for the private emails!


    Parent

    And yet (none / 0) (#23)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:29:18 AM EST
    I understand that Facebook has some of the nastiest comments anywhere, which sort of destroys the argument that anonymity is the cause.

    Parent
    Yeah, I agree lack of anonymity (none / 0) (#26)
    by ruffian on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:36:51 AM EST
    does not seem to inhibit some people, but it does inhibit me to a certain extent.

    Parent
    Yeah (none / 0) (#25)
    by lilburro on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:30:33 AM EST
    you know, this pisses me off.  The harassment of the teen memorial pages is sad, but cyberbullying happens on Facebook all the time.  The bullying of Alexis Pilkington that is referenced IN THE ARTICLE happened ON FACEBOOK.  Facebook changes its privacy settings constantly which makes it even harder to monitor the information being shared about you and the access people have.  I doubt people are feeling bullied by comments on Reuters' articles.  Give me a break.  What an asinine editorial.

    It's not a coincidence she's from Facebook (none / 0) (#28)
    by Faust on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:41:11 AM EST
    Ultimately facebook would like to have it's databases used to authenticate everyone. They will probably offer up connection to Facebook to blogging sites as an "authentication method."

    You can already see this with sites that have you link to existing identity networks: e.g. you log in with your Google account, your Wordpress account etc, thus linking your existing blogs and information to your posts. No doubt Facebook would like to add its name to that list.

    This is simply the work of a product manager paving the way for the a world where Facebook becomes a primary locus for online identity validation.

    All that interconnecting stuff does scare me (none / 0) (#29)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:52:25 AM EST
    I don't get involved in any of that

    Parent
    I hate that (none / 0) (#30)
    by ruffian on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 10:57:25 AM EST
    I don't understand the attraction. Do people really like to be all linked up like that? Is it a generational thing?

    Parent
    Some people make it work (none / 0) (#34)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 01:01:39 PM EST
    I really do need to get my facebook connected to my phone.  I was able via facebook to contact a professional handler this past weekend in an emergency situation that I did no know personally yet.  My spouse does not do facebook and never will but he has some interconnectedness that he uses very successfully for work stuff.

    Parent
    Several on line newspapers (none / 0) (#32)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 12:12:48 PM EST
    do this also.  But, if I log off Facebook before I comment on these sites, I can be "anonymous" or at least Facebookless.

    Parent
    Oh, goody. Do love a good meta day. (none / 0) (#33)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 12:13:08 PM EST


    Well, I am one of the anonymous TL (none / 0) (#38)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 01:52:48 PM EST
    commenters who was very upfront in that I wanted to know who (the phuck) this "BTD" character was when he showed up one day out of the clear blue as one of TL's 3 (now 2) headliners, by far it's most prolific headliner, the one headliner who was pretty much OT every time he posted a thread as he never wrote about TL's stated purpose, ie, the Politics of Crime, and, also, immediately became TL's most insulting commenter by far with, unlike the rest of us knuckleheads, apparent impunity and the power to delete comments and ban people, etc., etc.

    While I do regularly post on several other real-name, non-crime, non-political blogs, I would never express my true feelings on many of TL's crime/political topics if it were a real-name blog.

    Well (5.00 / 3) (#44)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:18:59 PM EST
    where else would you get your DWTS news?

    Parent
    Ha! (none / 0) (#49)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:42:53 PM EST
    You seem to have accepted the (none / 0) (#39)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 01:55:55 PM EST
    presence of BTD on TL, despite some initial, vociferous, anonymous resistance.

    Parent
    are on Open Threads these days...

    Parent
    You must be the epitome of patience then. (none / 0) (#41)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:07:41 PM EST
    why? (none / 0) (#43)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:16:59 PM EST
    I would never express my true feelings on many of TL's crime/political topics if it were a real-name blog.

    just wondering.  I think I probably would.  

    Parent

    it's complicated (5.00 / 2) (#64)
    by CST on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:36:50 PM EST
    A friend of mine asked the name of the blog I comment on.

    After a lot of hand-wringing I told them.  I don't really want people I know to read it.  Not for any political reasons, I'm not shy about expressing my views in real life.  Just because it feels personal in some way.

    But I am not hiding behind a persona.  It is possible (probably) to figure out who I am from this blog if you don't know me.  If you know me already, you would know which commenter I was.  That friend figured it out instantly.

    Parent

    I comment almost (none / 0) (#67)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:39:07 PM EST
    everywhere under the same screen name.  and I tell people that all the time.  
    I never considered it really.

    Parent
    I don't (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by CST on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:50:18 PM EST
    but I'm not very creative either.

    On the other hand, there are topics I avoid full disclosure on here - due to my paranoia over who might read it.  I certainly don't take the annonimity for granted.  I assume "big brother" -or whoever - can figure out who I am on the interwebs if they really want.

    Parent

    I own a biz in the often very "left" . (none / 0) (#48)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:41:58 PM EST
    entertainment industry.

    Parent
    I think there's a difference (none / 0) (#45)
    by lilburro on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:30:06 PM EST
    between TL and actual anonymous blogs.  Here you have to have an account and email and you accumulate a comment history.  I suppose it's possible somehow to out the writer of a random anonymous comment on a news article but you'd probably need immense technical know-how and access.  Whereas with a screen name and whatnot you can be more easily outed, as BTD and publius can attest.

    Parent
    True, you do tend to build a history here. (none / 0) (#50)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 02:44:45 PM EST
    Note to self. Change screen persona. (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:18:19 PM EST
    Suddenly begin discussing current contemporary music (not classical) in great detail stemming from vast knowledge of the field.  Oh, and marijuana.  And the despicable acts of law enforcement.  

    Parent
    hey (none / 0) (#65)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:37:05 PM EST
    I resemble that remark

    Parent
    Who knows? Perhaps you are (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by oculus on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:38:46 PM EST
    an opera-loving supporter of the DEA.

    Parent
    NOOOOOOOOOOOO (none / 0) (#68)
    by Capt Howdy on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 03:39:33 PM EST
    Archives are an... (none / 0) (#78)
    by kdog on Tue Nov 30, 2010 at 05:52:01 PM EST
    absolute trip...I've certainly written some really dumb things I wouldn't wanna lug forever under my family's name.

    Anonymity lends a certain freedom that can be used for good or ill, it all depends on anonymous.

    Parent