the_red_sheep

...a rationale, reasonable debate on any topic using internet message boards or comments sections?

Discuss.

britexpat76

No. As someone will always disagree, even if they don't know what they are disagreeing with.

scrubbedexpat141

You're a ****ing bigot / racist / sexist / chauvanistic / misogynist.

And worse. You're WRONG.

*insert big word to sound clever*

weasel decentral

It seems to depend a lot on the anonymity (or perceived anonymity) of the posters. If people know who you are in real life you might be less likely to give your bigotry or general idiocy an airing.

scrubbedexpat141

That's where I've been going wrong.

weasel decentral

Set up another account and post your bigotry from there, use two laptops and have an internet argument between your various persona.

britexpat76

Just because some cantankerous arse's on message boards subscribe to Parisology it makes them no more cleverer than you and I.

weasel decentral

the_red_sheep

I tend to agree. Whist we like to believe that we live in a more tolerant, less bigoted, less racist, better educated world - people are just less inclined to display such traits in person, but will quite happily spill their bile over the internet.

Sad really, lots of angry little men and women out there who unfortunately now have a public outlet for their aggression and can easily find others to play along with, or attack.

britexpat76

But there is a lot of us on here that either know each other or I know who they are in real life. It doesn't make me post any different to what I would if no one knew who I was. Infact some times it makes it worse as I don't want to be seen to endorse my company or what I do.

weasel decentral

You perhaps don't hold many controversial opinions? Maybe, just maybe, you are relatively normal?

the_red_sheep

But then there is the element that when you know someone personally, or via something like this over a period of time, know that they're sarcastic, or blunt, or a bit of a twat, and factor that into your perception of there comment/s. However, for someone reading a single thread or post for the first time they may take a much more literally view.

My initial point, whilst slightly related to boreds such as this, was really more about comments sections like on the BBC news website, newspapers sites etc, where there tends to be less back-and-forth debate or conversation and more just a list of increasingly absurd and angry drivel.

Theseus

I wouldn't go that far! lol

britexpat76

Oi, Poke it!!

Theseus

I don't mean it - you are relatively normal!