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With a presidential campaign, health care and the gun control debate in the news these days, one can't help getting sucked into the flame wars that are Internet comment threads. But psychologists say this addictive form of vitriolic back and forth should be avoided — or simply censored by online media outlets — because it actually damages society and mental health.
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?
A perfect storm of factors come together to engender the rudeness and aggression seen in the comments' sections of Web pages, Markman said. First, commenters are often virtually anonymous, and thus, unaccountable for their rudeness. Second, they are at a distance from the target of their anger — be it the article they're commenting on or another comment on that article — and people tend to antagonize distant abstractions more easily than living, breathing interlocutors. Third, it's easier to be nasty in writing than in speech, hence the now somewhat outmoded practice of leaving angry notes (back when people used paper), Markman said.
Related: A typical day on the Internet
And because comment-section discourses don't happen in real time, commenters can write lengthy monologues, which tend to entrench them in their extreme viewpoint. "When you're having a conversation in person, who actually gets to deliver a monologue except people in the movies? Even if you get angry, people are talking back and forth and so eventually you have to calm down and listen so you can have a conversation," Markman told Life's Little Mysteries.
Chiming in on comment threads may even give one a feeling of accomplishment, albeit a false one. "There is so much going on in our lives that it is hard to find time to get out and physically help a cause, which makes 'armchair activism' an enticing [proposition]," a blogger at Daily Kos opined in a July 23 article.
And finally, Edward Wasserman, Knight Professor in Journalism Ethics at Washington and Lee University, noted another cause of the vitriol: bad examples set by the media. "Unfortunately, mainstream media have made a fortune teaching people the wrong ways to talk to each other, offering up Jerry Springer, Crossfire, Bill O'Reilly. People understandably conclude rage is the political vernacular, that this is how public ideas are talked about," Wasserman wrote in an article on his university's website. "It isn't."
Communication, the scholars say, is really about taking someone else's perspective, understanding it, and responding. "Tone of voice and gesture can have a large influence on your ability to understand what someone is saying," Markman said. "The further away from face-to-face, real-time dialogue you get, the harder it is to communicate."
In his opinion, media outlets should cut down on the anger and hatred that have become the norm in reader exchanges. "It's valuable to allow all sides of an argument to be heard. But it's not valuable for there to be personal attacks, or to have messages with an extremely angry tone. Even someone who is making a legitimate point but with an angry tone is hurting the nature of the argument, because they are promoting people to respond in kind," he said. "If on a website comments are left up that are making personal attacks in the nastiest way, you're sending the message that this is acceptable human behavior."
Related: Niceness is in your DNA, scientists find
For their part, people should seek out actual human beings to converse with, Markman said — and we should make a point of including a few people in our social circles who think differently from us. "You'll develop a healthy respect for people whose opinions differ from your own," he said.
Working out solutions to the kinds of hard problems that tend to garner the most comments online requires lengthy discussion and compromise. "The back-and-forth negotiation that goes on in having a conversation with someone you don't agree with is a skill," Markman said. And this skill is languishing, both among members of the public and our leaders.
Related:
- 15 Weird Things Humans Do Every Day, and Why
- Understanding the 10 Most Destructive Human Behaviors
- People Aren't Smart Enough for Democracy to Flourish, Scientists Say
Want more weird health news? Find The Body Odd on Facebook.
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If anyone took this seriously, it could spell doom for Newsvine.
It would certainly require the immediate shutdown and quarantine of Fox Nation.
But you know this is psychobabble of the 1st order. Just another academic trying to get his paper publish/noted.
Could it be people can express pent-up anger about
politicians, education, banks, big business, illegal immigration, the
government, and this internet format allows some freedom and a platform for
each person to speak out about frustrations had with those that seem to be immune
to the laws we are supposed to follow and be governed by?
The bombardment we receive from the news outlets about how
our money is spent, who spends it, who steals it, how those that violate our
trust, how they avoid the reach of law enforcement, and the Nation of Laws we
all live under. While in great part we as a nation fall under the same laws but
extract the strictest of punishment those same laws. We are a Nation of Laws?
Funny you mention Fox nation and fail to mention any other news outlets. While you may not like Fox, I've yet to see a segment on Fox featuring a prominant woman introduced with insulting music such as Stupid Girls. There's plenty of hate out there in TV land.
I love how the comments prove the point of the article.
That's because Fox Nation isn't a news outlet. Neither is Newsvine. They're comment-driven discussion forums... opinion, not news. And you know the old saying about opinions: they're like @ssholes. Everybody's got one.
People really need to learn that commentary ain't friggin' NEWS, it's opinion... and understand that opinion ain't necessarily fact. Sometimes, opinion's even for sale to the highest bidder (see: right wing media sites)
Of course, if people did figure that out it would totally kill talk radio.
Point well made.
I agree. It's amazing, isn't it?
Everybody who agrees with this article is a moron.
Tag, you're all it. :-)
/ sarc
I think that a lot of people get angry because the politicians ignore the people so therefore people lash out at anyone and anything.
People are angry because the politicians and supporting media cast stir them up into a frenzy against each other, so nothing is done about what matters. IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
Look at how many people repeat the idiot soundbites about throwing grandma from a cliff, wanting all women back in the home having babies, XYZ party will take away all of your rights, the ABC's party's healthcare plan will result in death panels. It's all misleading hate, as neither party (except for maybe a very very small radical extreme percent) really hates/wants to kill old people, women, minorities, etc.
So why the hate the other side attitude? Divide and conquer. It's a common strategy used for centuries. Create an enemy, demonize them, stir your base up against them, and ultimately your base will follow whatever you want because the alternative is THEM! It's ok to accept large donations from corporations who break the law or we can outright lie on TV commercials because it defeats "them." Mideast dictators have been using this tactic for years to stay in power. We even used it against the Soviet Union. It's just sad that our politicians now pit us against each other instead of working together to fix the problems and the media runs lock step right along with the insanity.
Yes, and today's teens (and their parents) are just so polite and such a pleasure to talk to in person. Puh-lease. This person must be on another planet than the one I am on. In some neighborhoods, politeness may work well. However, there are a some places where it may get you beaten up or even preyed upon. It's not a one-size-fits-all virtue.
As I sit here writing this Internet comment from the safety of my anonymous bedroom, it gives me great pleasure to say that I hate and despise each and everyone of you. You are all morons!
I also find it hard to take seriously the insults I give and receive. For me, these comments are great fun and in some ways an emotional release. Worms! :)
I have to strongly disagree with the author, what is he 50+ years old. They seem to like to jump on the bandwagon of disrespecting people who are techno literate. In my opinion, Posting your opinions - angry or not is a great release, you state it, your frustration and or agreement with another opinion, and you move on to something else. No need to 'discuss' everything and everyone with someone else for it to be meaningful. And it is just an opinion, why does it have to be so meaningful? It doesn't. Life has more important issues to spend time on - the really meaningful parts. It is perfectly healthy to state something and go on, better than taking a gun to a theater and letting it kill people. That would be unhealthy.
IMO, posting comments is also for the sake of discussion and understanding, not necessarily to make a topic meaningful. If it didn't already have some meaning for you, you probably wouldn't be commenting. There are a number of things happening in the country that affect all of us and are worth discussing. And hearing opinions from those who live in other areas of the country is helpful - helps keep you from staying stuck in your own little cocoon, thinking that everyone believes or does things the same as you. You might want to state something and move on, others may want to discuss, or learn, or understand.
Hard to have a productive discussion though when comments start out with "you moron." Sometimes I wonder if people are that rude in person and what purpose it serves. Then again, I'm over 50 and although very techno-literate, still believe that manners count for something online or off, so what do I know?
This article made me angry.
It hasn't made me so angry so much as disgusted with how no one cited in the article really makes the most valid point in my opinion. Although comments in these discussions are purportedly from all over the world, they are for the most part in English, American English, that is.
Anonymity notwithstanding, too many of the comments recite the death throes of Elementary and High School education in the United States. The worst examples are inability to write incisive English. And deterioration is equally poor in published books, magazines, and most newspapers with rare exceptions. There are too many people who are ill taught by, most likely, ill-taught teachers.
Slang? Infinite numbers of ALL CAPS to shorten words or phrases in iTubes, UTubes, OurTubes, TheirTubes ad infinitum become a huge and meaningless habit. What results is just plain sloppy writing.
Ticky Tacky Techy Toys abound and are the multipliers of feeble expression. Why read and write when TeeVee and the plethora of iPods et al prevail? Civilization, my friends, is going backwards... brains are becoming dormant.
Sleep tight but try not to let the automated bed bugs bite us into zombies.
Uncancelled postage stamps probably make you angry.
Great comments. LOL.
But on serious side. Where else can average people debate current events? The article claims...
That is scary! I don't think it damages mental health at all. If anything, it probably provides a productive pressure valve. Censor what exactly?( I think those who "cross the line" get reported very nicely by the reading community.) Who decides what is "inappropriate"? Also says...(I almost can't beleve this)...
So in summation (pardon my tin hat) Don't think. Don't feel. Don't express. Be censored by those who know best. Just watch your tv with your mouth slightly ajar, drool cup handy and all will be well.
Your FACE makes me angry!
I heard one time that that 20% of the population are against everything, all the time.
Maybe these are the same people who respond on the forums with sharp, negative comments…as though they’ve discovered an angle on the story that no one else sees. Wouldn't hurt them to say a story is “interesting” once and a while.
I think the article above raises a good point. (That was easy).
I should become outraged and write some vitriolic statement ALL IN CAPS TO SIGNIFY I'M FILLED WITH RIGHTEOUS FURY but it doesn't seem worth the effort.
You're either terribly depressed or extremely funny. I am laughing hard!
I don't know about you guys but, I CAN'T CONTROL THE VOLUME OF MY VOICE!!!!1!
Informative discussion between readers was the original intent of the comments section of news articles. I know recently, several website have just turned off their user comment sections in favor of smaller discussion boards between several verified panelists.
For example, lets just take a football sports article. Flash Gordon of the New York Jets has an ankle injury (not likely!) that will keep him out for a few games. The writer of the online article verifies 5-6 other writers (former atheletes, sports medical personel, etc) to discuss aspects of the story. This concept could be appied to various areneas and play out kinda like you would when you watch news coverage on TV.
I'd much rather see this on some stories than most the other stupid @!$%# that I do.
Sometimes I find that I cannot even read any comments, because I am sure they will be negative... All that negative energy is just not worth it. :) Stay happy everyone, life is too short...
This is true, and refreshing to read. :)
It isn't just the posters on the Internet who are angry, but our society as a whole. The lack of common civility and manners is appalling. As our society continues its downward spiral, we are moving closer and closer to total anarchy. We have become the 'Me Me' society, and we no longer take accountability for our actions and deeds. We have an air of entitlement, and have become downright lazy. Our standard of living is rapidly declining, and people just accept this like a bunch a dotes! Our network TV programs promote this type of behavior with all of these 'reality' shows. People pay more attention to who is the next idol, who is going to be thrown of the island next, than to the important issues at hand. The attention span of most folks is shorter than than of the common fruit fly (with apologies to the fruit fly anti-deformation league).
We are headed down the exact same path the Roman Society traveled almost 2000 years ago. Those who ignore history are prone to repeat it. As a society, we don't know our history.
Tom Brokow's 'Greatest Generation' book has more and more meaning as the years go by.
That's right I am an American citizen,and entitled to many things. We have brought so much to the world without receiving our just do. The Romans demanded tribute from all; big difference America gives away way to much. We are not Rome! We just have way to many corrupt politicians and Senators. Our forms and debates resemble what brings down all nations to much diversity. Groups against one another in the populace brings to mind the phrase "Divide and Conquer".
I have learned to stear clear of all people that attempt to establish any emotional connection with me. The people are psycho's looking to fill a void in their meaningless, empty lives.
I agree with you, Fa, so we have something in common. We'd probably be good friends. What are you doing on Saturday? Call me!
Fa Tass, have I ever told you that I love you?
Working in the hospitality field for 9 years now (consecutively) I have noticed over the past 3 years that more people, in general, are less patient, more demanding, less polite, show less compassion toward each other (including members of their own families), carry an entitlement mentality as well as the "Princess and the Pea" expectations from all around them. While they are still in the minority their numbers are growing. The internet only tends to feed into their self centered expectations.
A bit of heat and off-color humor is expected with controversial topics, but on that man aisle story, one commenter even used vulgar child sexual molestation imagery to deliver what he must of thought was a hilarious attack. Of course, the comment still remains there. To be expected, though. After awhile, one learns what topics are going to bring out the worst in people.
Could it be people can express pent-up anger about
politicians, education, banks, big business, illegal immigration, the
government, and this internet format allows some freedom and a platform for
each person to speak out about frustrations had with those that seem to be immune
to the laws we are supposed to follow and be governed by?
The bombardment we receive from the news outlets about how
our money is spent, who spends it, who steals it, how those that violate our
trust, how they avoid the reach of law enforcement, and the Nation of Laws we
all live under. While in great part we as a nation fall under the same laws but
extract the strictest of punishment those same laws. We are a Nation of Laws?
frankhank.....Sorry, I entered a response before I read yours and....I agree with you whole heartedly. My response is quite similar to yours and believe both are correct and justified statements.
My post is really a simple statement which is much more complex but it is the sense of what we are seeing out here.
Thanks R. Woodward. I see much of what you post and generally have the same opinion out here.
Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like it when I'm angry....
People do indeed take themselves far too seriously, and treat their opinions as though they are the most important in the world, without allowing concession that other people have opinions of their own. The other problem is the pseudo-anonymity of the internet... where faceless strangers can treat other faceless strangers like dirt. So-called civilization becomes less civilized by the day...
One word - anonymous. It's the trolls who keep it down and dirty.
If everyone knew who was making the comments, then there would still be some people who wouldn't care, but most would think twice before all this name calling and rants that go on forever.
Also, a lot of idiotic or crude comments get put out there specifically to get a reaction from the rest of the posters.
I always laugh at how many articles' comments veer into the weeds about Obamacare. Even if there was nothing even vaguely related to it in the story.
Umm... sort of like your comment on this story?
to the author Natalie,
Thank you
Why are internet users so angry??? Maybe it's because internet users get the information FIRST HAND and sifted and filtered by the TV and Newspapers. Maybe it's because topics are discussed .....like OUR GOVERNMENT.....and just how idiotic they are and the fact that we simply can't do anything about all those clowns except to complain to one another though blogs. PLUS....there is nothing wrong with being angry. At least those people are showing SOME EMOTION and not just lowering their and accepting everything at face value. EVERYONE needs to get angry and stand up and admit that our government has failed. The "GOOD OL'BOYS" in Washington has got to be replaced COMPLETELY. Check todays headlines.....OUR CONGRESS is telling our PENTAGON that they NEED the tanks that the Pentagon claims they no longer need. Who is best to know? Except that Congress is in bed with the manufacturers and most like have been for decades. DOES THIS GET YOU ANGRY???????????
Nicely put.
As you say there is NOTHING WRONG with being angry.
We now have a platform to speak out.
I think what the author fails to point out or understand is. YES there are just that many people angry upset and want to speak their minds. What happened before ? you talked to your friends and maybe sent a letter and then the fax machine came along.
NOW THE INTERNET!!!!!!!
This election is a choice between two visions for the future of America: One vision is for continuation of the progressive vision of a balance between equality and freedom as the moral foundation of justice, and a more recent conservative vision of an entitlement due the wealthy and the equivalence of corporations to the rights and protections of natural persons under the Constitution.
A progressive future is one in which government is a custodian of the public trust and advocates for justice; where justice is a balance between equality and freedom. Government as a custodian of the public trust means that everyone plays by the same rules and that everyone is equal before the law. Public trust means the rights of the people to preserve and protect the common property of the United States is not severable to the interests of privatization. Public trust means that a corporation has no rights except those given to it by law and does not have equal standing with a natural born person under the Constitution.
The conservative future is one of a hostile corporate takeover with privatization of government functions. The corporate takeover means that having wealth is an effective barrier to others participating in the process of government. It means that government would no longer serve the interests of the community but collaborate with the wealthy corporate owners to establish a separate set of laws that entitle them to preferential treatment while creating barriers to competition by eliminating opportunities for others.
The free market is a myth: if it isn't regulated by government to prevent fraud, it is regulated by the corporate oligarchy to prevent competition. Free means not having to go to jail for fraud and theft.
Freedom of speech for corporations is a political myth: the right to free speech is a right of the natural born person, not an artifact of legal convention.
The conservative options for health care are no birth control, no abortion and no health insurance unapproved by a corporate CEO. The progressive option is universal health care and the right of women to make their own health decisions.
This election is about education for citizenship, not choice for a privileged elite.
This election is about who gets to rewrite the tax laws: a privileged elite who personally benefits from tax entitlements to the wealthy, or one who advocates for tax fairness.
This election is about who gets to nominate justices to the Supreme Court: pack a court with conservative judicial activists who want to roll back human rights, or one who advocates for judicial competence.
This election is a moral choice between affiliation or aggression, empathy or egotism, service or selfishness, cooperation or competitiveness.
The tale of two visions is the difference between a government of the people, by the people and for the people, and a government run by a plutocracy of wealth and corporate power.
tldr
But you are wrong anyway.
Electorial College will keep us all safe from a majority of voters who do not know what is best for them. How many people vote in elections? 20% maybe. Let's get real about who runs the country. It isn't some dude coming in for 4 or 8 years, because if it was, policies and laws would flip-flop all the time.
The Internet equivalent of "road rage!!"
If the articles weren't so insipid, no one would need to leave 'aggressive responses.'
Yet, they let this psycho publish an article.
Fuch you! Haven't worked in 9 months and I am hungry and I take it out on the internet. Free therapy.
Do you have this internet in your home?
If so, cancel the internet and get a damn sandwich.
Why hasn't SCIENCE created an INTERNET SANDWICH?!?
@!$%#in' Zionists...
It's a place where people can be anyone they want to be. So this ends up being where they take out their frustration to a degree far greater than they would in public. Sad.
I don't find myself angry posting stuff. In fact I enjoy reading an intelligent post from someone with opposing views - I'm open to learning. The key word is 'intelligent'.
Please many arguments in real life never get resolved either, just look at our politicians, but i dont see how not resolving an argument online is any unhealthier than not resolving an argument in real life.
The issue is not specifically that the argument is not resolved. In fact, whether the disagreement is resolved is mostly irrelevant. The issue is that the emotional outlets found in face-to-face arguments are not present in on-line arguments. When you argue with someone in front of you, the instinct is to try and coexist, even if no actual resolution is reached. The benefit is that even if you don't agree with someone, you are capable of understanding how that person can hold the opinion they do given their point of view. That allows you to accept that person without agreeing with them. This sort of emotional, conciliatory exchange is nearly impossible in on-line arguments, so all that remains is bitterness. That, in turn, makes the next argument that much worse.