There is something to be said about taking the argument off line. Send them an email or call, be the bigger person by avoiding starting a legendary online war. Or better yet, remember the simple rule: if you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t write it.
Yik Yak, Facebook and the comments section of your favorite website are all great soapboxes but every single one of us has seen the comments quickly rage out of control. Perhaps even a few of us have gotten into one too many Twitter fights over something that left us thinking “was it really worth it?”.
Part of the aim of higher education is to teach us how to think and how to respond to people who have different opinions. Flames, and those who strongly disagree with us, are an important part of communication. History is full of examples of people defending their ideas to those who criticize them. It is good to feel passionate about something and to get your point across without losing personal integrity. However, there is a thin line between making your point and arguing for the sake of arguing.
The website netiquette.com says to remember that you’re talking to an actual person. Behind that terrible screen name is a flesh and blood person complete with all the same feelings as you. It can be great to not have to talk to someone face to face but don’t let it be your downfall. There is something to be said about taking the argument off line. Send them an email or call, be the bigger person by avoiding starting a legendary online war. Or better yet, remember the simple rule: if you wouldn’t say it in person, don’t write it.
Think of this, your future employer will be googling you and chances are high they will not be impressed with your homophobic attack on buzzfeed or chewing someone out on the “Ten Greatest Animal Themed Batman Villains” comment section.
Spewing hateful comments is not worth it. Yes there are lots of people with different opinions than you. No maybe they are not as awesome and logical as you are but they are a person and don’t like being made to feel small just the same as everyone else. There are ways to strongly disagree and get your point across without directly attacking the person.
What we say online is an extension of our personalities, for better or worse. Building a classy online persona is hard especially in the face of direct personal attacks but will pay off in the long run. Think of this, your future employer will be googling you and chances are high they will not be impressed with your homophobic attack on buzzfeed or chewing someone out on the “Ten Greatest Animal Themed Batman Villains” comment section.
Almost all of us will have to deal with negative online comments in some way shape or form. If they get out of hand contact the site administrators, the police and for the less severe take a step back and respond once you calm down.
In the words of Taylor Swift and Frozen, “the haters gonna hate” and “let it go”. The comments section never bothered you anyway.
