February 09, 2008
Online Discourse: Tact and Fact vs. Getting Smacked
My latest at Pajamas Media today:
It’s amazing what can come out of people’s mouths (via their keyboards) behind the cloak of anonymity the internet provides — although it must be remembered that not everyone is afraid to be identified when it comes to either comment forums or sending email. But it’s so easy to type out a quick response to something and click “send” or “submit” before really absorbing what you might be reacting to. (The fact that you don’t actually have a face-to-face encounter with the person you’re belittling is another favorable aspect of this kind of attack.)
What’s key in this discussion is “what you might be reacting to.” Are you giving yourself time to think about what the other person has said before spouting off in indignation?
Is civility and reason dead in American discourse?
Read it all here.
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