Flame Wars on the internet...

[Ilikemuppets]

The Internet makes a lot of people "brave" because they can say anything they want and remain anonymous.

That's exactly what I thought to until I watched this episode of Frontline on PBS about how were really not as anonymous as I previous thought we were. You can view the whole program here if anybody likes. There's Nothing like education to me.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/homefront/

 

[Katzi428]

You're 100% right,Kev!

 

[CensoredAlso]

Yeah look at it this way. If you were walking down the street and saw a person acting all angry and freaked out, you wouldn't stop and try to reason with them. At least you shouldn't! You'd keep walking, and if necessary, go to a professional to deal with the matter. It's the same with the Internet.

And it is true that people aren't anonymous as they used to be on the web. It's really important not to give out too much information about yourself online. That just makes it easier for dangerous people to track you down.

 

[Redsonga]

I can't help it, I'm nosey and have a temper -.-
I just can't not say something. My ma was the same way. It runs in my family. Our sense of values often over runs our 'I should know better' sides

 

[Skye]

Oh, I definitely know what it's like to have a fiery temper (my fiancé sure knows what I'm like when I'm like that, too, lol! I actually feel bad for him sometimes because I can be so crazy, hehe). But it's also really important to pick your battles. Some people just aren't worth the trouble. And usually, people who flame aren't worth it.

I'm just so sorry anyone ever has to deal with people like this! It's really sad. But I guess, it is a part of life, too. Darn people who like to cause trouble.

 

[CensoredAlso]

Oh I definitely have a temper problem too, lol. It really takes practice and time to get it under control. The difference is, I generally only let it out with people I'm close to. I'm too afraid to do it to strangers, lol.

Hehe, but seriously, I know it's hard, but we have to remember that it does no good to stoop to a difficult person's level. Plus, even difficult people will sometimes respond better to kindess (sometimes hehe).

 

[frogboy4]

One-time newbie turned MC graphic designer

I remember my days as a "newbie" here at Muppet Central Forum. Well, actually it was located at the old Delphi forums, but I digress. I had been a longtime viewer of forum content before actually posting. Finally I signed up and started posting and did not feel welcomed as I was expecting from a Muppet-themed forum.

Some adjustments had to do with my being new to posting in forums in general. There were definitely some faux pas made. Still, other problems had to do with entrenched cliques who didn't feel like sharing their space so easily with others. Some of those folk are gone now while others have become friends even after awkward beginnings.

Please don't get me wrong. I'm not saying anyone was particularly mean, but passions can run high online and some feel that they can say things under a cloak of anonymity that they can't in their daily lives. Also when typing - tone and inflection can easily be misconstrued. Smilies can help that.

Either way, it's best not to get too worked up. I can let things bother me sometimes and try to remember that it is the common interest of Muppets that bring us all together here. That usually does the trick!

However humble beginnings we all make on Muppet Central, we all contribute something that makes this a fun and colorful place unlike any other on the web!

 

[Gonzo14]

yeah, sometimes it's hard to keep from getting sucked into flame wars, but i try to stay away. we used to have some heated arguments here, but it seems to be neutralized now

 

[Ilikemuppets]

Oh, I definitely know what it's like to have a fiery temper (my fiancé sure knows what I'm like when I'm like that, too, lol! I actually feel bad for him sometimes because I can be so crazy, hehe). But it's also really important to pick your battles. Some people just aren't worth the trouble. And usually, people who flame aren't worth it.

Aw, well, you know? I do know that you're a very passionate person and you wouldn't do anything without good intentions. I know you just want to bet for us, and you know that I think it's so important to have someone in your life or be with someone who truly understands you. You are more then worth being with to me.

 

[Ilikemuppets]

And it is true that people aren't anonymous as they used to be on the web. It's really important not to give out too much information about yourself online. That just makes it easier for dangerous people to track you down.

Yeah, you are right. You do have to be careful about giving out information and things like that. That story was about protecting the public, but it was just about how far that that can take it, sometime. It's asking the question how far are the measures they take to protect us? Spying on you and all your E-mails and phone calls and when you walk down the street and all that kind of stuff. It's kind of creepy and feels a little like a movie when I think about it, heh.

It's kind of crazy to think about because every time you use a credit card, there somebody out there who can access all your information. It's not necessarily a bad thing because if it's somebody who need to be caught, it makes it easier to find that person. You can trace every where that person's been and pull up their past histor, etc. But the problem is if something like that were ever able to get into the wrong hands. It just kinds of make me think and be more aware or what I say and do, you know?