Forget you're on the internet?

[Tags: forums, chat, argument, snob, elitist,
idiots]

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I'm part of a few different discussion forums. A few of them, for quite a while and I'm always amused when people start trying to boss other people around on the internet. My assumption is that they are either forgetful and have forgotten that they are just another faceless, nameless and powerless doobie with an internet connection trying to tell other people what to do. The second option is, that they are so egotistical and bossy that they truly think others on the internet will have to do what they say because, well, they are BETTER than the other person. That "holier than thou" snobbishness does come through on discussion forums if you hang around long enough - you really do get the feeling that you know exactly how people could be in R/L. I've always known that people are very different on the internet than in R/L because the worst thing that can happen on the internet is your service provider shuts down your connection... that's tantamount to Dad confiscating your car keys before the big date on Saturday night. Mostly what happens on discussion forums is you get suspended for posting on that forum or (*gasp*) banned from posting from that forum. I've been neither suspended or banned (though I'm sure some would like me to be), yet I find that those who wish to impose their will upon another unknown IP address connecting from some router somewhere in the world, hilarious as hell.

What I'd like to ask these people is: Do you REALLY believe anyone will take you seriously? Do you for one moment believe, your rant about "Don't EVER tell me what to do, GOT IT?" is going to stop someone from pushing that button over, and over, and over and over again? Is it that they believe they are so much better? so much more successful than the hapless person they are berating that they feel the other person will be COMPELLED to follow these commands? In truth - just the opposite. What happens is it shows a very interesting chink in the armor doesn't it. The button now pushed got a very interesting reaction - the compunction is to ... push it again. Same or more vehement response? Push it again... and again. Now the threats come which are even more laughable than the commands... what are ya gonna do? Make more of an idiot out of yourself and try to top the last bit? Drive 5,000 miles to my house and berate me? Throw a temper tantrum and thrash around like an irate 3 year old?


Get a grip people - this is the internet okay? We are anonymous for the most part and I could be a 12 year old in Massachusetts's or a 65 year old grandma in South Africa using a Proxy server to connect. You really have no idea and you're going to make a total ass out of yourself by thinking you have any power at all over anyone else. Sure, forum admins and server owners can ban an IP address, an IP range, a MAC address... big deal. If you're not an admin and just another keyboard jockey who's trying to impose your will on another keyboard jockey, jockey #1 is the biggest idiot on the planet. Grow up for crying out loud. You have no power over anyone else - you're easily ignored or harassed until you're made a complete fool and have to move on to pastures where the users don't already know you're an idiot snob with a superiority complex. Play nice - show some respect and stop taking yourself so seriously. Arguing on the internet is stupid if you egotistical Napoleon's didn't already know - you can't win and won't win. All you do is show a weakness by letting someone get under your skin and you trying to boss them around like they are your little brother or sister.

If nothing else, it is amusing so by all means, continue to make an ass out of yourself. I find it very entertaining juxtaposed with sadness and pity. After all, how superior can one be when they cannot and do not realize they are stupid? It's a laugh that keeps on giving.

Here's a little test to see if you're one of those "snobby egotistical snots" who try to boss others on discussion boards or in chat sessions:

Take the Quiz!!