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What is this 'syndrome', you ask?
It's when on a website/etc. that can be posted on/commented has stuff posted on it that people would never actually say if others KNEW who they actually were.
For example, on many posts here on PMC people flame and rage at a person because they wrote about something controversial, or that they have a deep hatred for. However, the people who flame would not likely say that in real life to that person who posted the stuff.
Definition from the Urban Dictionary:
An Internet disorder where the person, while acting under the anonymity of an Internet identity, proceeds to act in a manor both disparaging and embarrassing if said individual were to conduct himself in such a way in real life.
Same as my definition, basically.
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Why do people do this?
Well, they probably feel they need to flame at anything they disagree with even a little bit, or they just plain have issues. Anonymity gives people a feeling of power, like they can do/say anything and get away with it.
As PMC user Rockslide said:
I think what keeps most people in check in real life is the fear of punishment. Like you don't steal because you will be sent to jail. You don't call a bigger guy names, because he will punch you. Etc. ~ Internet anonymity takes away fear of reprisal.
It's kind of like if you were given the power of invisibility. You may not feel ashamed at doing things that you would NEVER do if you were visible.
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Where is this mainly happening?
This syndrome is happening all over the web, wherever people can comment/post stuff basically. Popular sites like YouTube and even the community here at PMC are filled with commenters and posters who know that their true identity is secret.
Even in multiplayer online games this happens!
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What's happening because of it?
(photo from HERE showing how YouTube has started asking for Real Names)
YouTube and Google (well, I guess just Google, because YouTube is owned by Google now) have been starting to ask people to switch to their real names. They are not imposing it, although if this 'syndrome' keeps up, they might.
(See HERE and HERE for some info on this topic of YouTube asking for real names.)
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What can YOU do to help out?
First of all, don't post mean spirited comments and posts in the first place. Who wants to read mean comments? They just don't help anyone.
Also, you can report the comment/post. I know this is possible on YouTube, but here on PMC, there is no way to report a comment. Of course, the poster of the article can delete hate comments, but they still should be reported to PMC staff. (Possible new feature suggestion? :0 )
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IN CONCLUSION! :0
Don't take hateful comments or posts personally. You can delete them or report them easily, so you shouldn't worry about them. But don't do it yourself. ;)
Anyway, DO report them. People shouldn't be allowed to post anonymous hatred.
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This post may be updated now and then to add info on this topic. ;)
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| Credit | dingousa, Urban Dictionary, photo sources, Rockslide |
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Update #3 : by dingousa 08/22/2012 1:59:06 pmAug 22nd, 2012
- Fixed syntax a bit.
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