Online Bullying – a New and Ugly Sport for Liberal Commenters

[Kimberly]

I think we knew about this years ago.
 

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 02:16 AM

Kurovski (33,016 posts)

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Online Bullying – a New and Ugly Sport for Liberal Commenters--The UK Guardian--Oct. 2012
       
 
I could not find this article posted on DU, but if it's here, it's still worth a revisit.

"Over the past couple of years, I've watched the rise of a new form of online performance art, where liberal internet commenters make public sport of flagging potentially problematic language as insensitive, and gleefully calling out authors as needing to "check their privilege" (admit their privileged position within society and its associated benefits)."

*SNIP*

"Increasingly, I've started recognising this kind of behaviour for what it is: privilege-checking as a form of internet sport. It's a kind of trolling, with all the politics I agree with, but motivations and execution that turns my stomach. It's well-intended (so well-intended), but when the motivations seem to be less about opening dialogue about the issues, and more about performance, righteousness, and intolerance toward those who don't agree with you … well, I'm not on board.


This is where it starts to feel like the "GOD HATES FAGS!" sign-wavers. While the political sentiments are exactly opposite, the motivations are remarkably similar: I WOULD LIKE TO DERAIL THIS CONVERSATION AND HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WITNESS HOW RIGHT I AM. I don't care if your politics are progressive and your focus is on social justice: if you're shouting at people online and refusing to have a dialogue, you're bullying. I don't care if you're fighting the good fight: if you're fighting in a way that's more about public performance, shaming and righteousness, I'm not fighting with you.

… Even if I agree with your goals."


A good deal more to be found here......



http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/18/online-bullying-ugly-sport-liberal-commenters

Response to Kurovski (Original post)

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 02:48 AM

Star Member Hekate (20,521 posts)

2. What I've noticed over the past year is a species of self-righteous mob behavior
 
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I think the common denominator between the behavior noted in your link and what I have below is the anonymity of the Internet, but it can have real consequences.

A restaurant customer left an insulting note instead of a tip. A waitress put the note online. The waitress got fired.

So far, so ordinary. But then it got really ugly.

Thousands of posters weighed in on the issue, flooding the Facebook page of the restaurant, threatening boycotts, calling ugly names. The customer's name was revealed, and other information as well. Thousands of posters weighed in on the customer, making ugly comments and even threats.

There was no sense of proportion, no mercy, just howls for retribution and "justice" based on the barest outline of facts.

Folks, this is what a mob looks like, and the behavior extended to the pages of DU that night. It's very troubling.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to finally write my observations.

Response to Hekate (Reply #2)

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 04:59 PM

Star Member L0oniX (16,345 posts)

65. There's been plenty of self-righteous mob behavior right here on DU. n/t

That's an understatement.

Response to Kurovski (Original post)

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 03:33 AM

sibelian (2,603 posts)

8. Yes.
 
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This bit in particular is ..... familiar:

"Look at me look at me look at meeee! I am the very MOST aware of my privilege and am therefore the very BEST progressive on the entire internet!"

Response to Demo_Chris (Reply #10)

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 03:55 AM

Star Member pacalo (20,233 posts)

12. It definitely could have applied to Meta.
 
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Look at meeeee! Aren't I the most righteous in all the DU world!

 

Response to pacalo (Reply #12)

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 04:29 AM

Star Member Sherman A1 (11,133 posts)

18. And to the current threads on the election of the new Pope
 
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While I am no fan of the RCC and it's history, I have seen several hijacked, shouting down other members who dare to question, try to find something possibly positive in the situation or have differing opinions than the "righteous" ones.

Response to Demo_Chris (Reply #10)

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 10:25 AM

Star Member HappyMe (10,091 posts)

46. After reading the OP, I thought meta also.
 
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Self righteous 'my way or the highway' attitudes don't encourage discussion. You have to either agree 100%, or just stay out of the thread entirely.

My auto-hide list is unfortunately growing.

Response to Kurovski (Original post)

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 04:16 AM

Star Member mattclearing (9,632 posts)

16. This article is crap.
 
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Every time I see someone berate progressives for doing something which republicans and even independents are ten times worse about, it pisses me off.

The idea that the person pointing out privilege is the bad guy, when the opponent is generally spouting some maker/taker elitist bullshit, really aggravates me.

At least the obnoxious progressive can spell, and I think this writer may not be too clear on the difference between righteousness and simply being correct.

Telling some right-wing asshat that they benefit from privilege and shouldn't judge themselves superior isn't self-righteous bullying, it's standing up to a bully.

At any rate, this article is some ridiculous straw man shit. For someone who sees so much of it, this writer gives no concrete examples, just lots of generalist, mushy nonsense.

Response to Kurovski (Original post)

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 09:10 AM

Star Member Zorra (18,231 posts)

34. Interesting. I believe every responder to the OP up to this point is male. nt

Response to Zorra (Reply #34)

Mon Mar 25, 2013, 09:25 AM

Star Member backwoodsbob (4,612 posts)

35. that has what to do with what exactly?
 
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I said for far too many on EVERY issue this has become nothing more than a *win the thread* sport.

 I never said or implied anything about sex and/or gender in my comment and quite frankly never thought about that,instead making a comment about the general nastiness that has erupted on this and many other sites in general.

 How the fact that I am male effects that comment is baffling to me.

Much more bickering at the link.


 

[ColonelCarrots]

The internet is full of left wing self righteous nut jobs. It is less common to find a conservative person in an online community that isn't designated to those same ideals I.E. Conservative Cave. Especially if you're on a blog site. I have one where I post stories I create, and I follow a few people simply because they follow me. All are liberal. Through following them I've seen them answer some cruel and hateful things.

[98ZJUSMC]

There was no sense of proportion, no mercy, just howls for retribution and "justice" based on the barest outline of facts.

...or as we know it:


Drooling retards underground

difference between righteousness and simply being correct

Fairly telling insight into the adolescent mindset of the useful idiots.  Who cares if it works?  Who cares if it's affordable?  Who cares if it kills millions of people?

We're righteous!!!!111!!!!eLeVenTY!!111!!

[txradioguy]

Self righteous 'my way or the highway' attitudes don't encourage discussion.

That describes most of the DU threads I've ever read.  Either you agree with the groupthink or you're labelled a troll.


DUmmies REALLY hate it when you hold a mirror up to them.

[JohnnyReb]

That describes most of the DU threads I've ever read.  Either you agree with the groupthink or you're labelled a troll.


DUmmies REALLY hate it when you hold a mirror up to them.

The blood sucking vampires can't see themselves in a mirror.

[hillneck]

I'm surprised that know it all Nads hasn't jumped into this issue.   

[Gern]

Of course Redqueen, Matriarch of the Feminazis, can't even grasp the issue, because she's the epitome of the subject matter at hand; frequently wrapping herself in a blanket of self righteousness and vicitimhood with virtually every topic she opines on.

[Ptarmigan]

That describes most of the DU threads I've ever read.  Either you agree with the groupthink or you're labelled a troll.


DUmmies REALLY hate it when you hold a mirror up to them.

The mirror would break.