Especially on the internet, I see people calling others they don't even know liars, idiots, retards, and a lot worse. If someone made a habit of that back in the sixties I don't think they'd have many friends for long. What changed things? Did we not do a good job raising our kids?
My kids are grown.the oldest is almost 40..I would say it the next generation down.. the grandkids..they have no respect for anything..their values are non-existant in too many cases. I raised 6 kids and have 14 grandchildren.. I only had one son that was disrespectful.. the youngest Timothy.. he thinks his shit don't stink.. he gave me hell on a stick, untill he moved out and left for NC.. he's 22, he almost didn't make it.. I almost throttled him..we had knock down drag outs.. with five bro and sis, he grewup too fast and learn how to walk before he crawled. I raised him excatly the same way I raised the rest but he was a lalapalusa.. I think it's the times.. all the fuckedupness of the planet.. all the negitivity and hate that circulates around the universe.. They act like punks.. you know. just out for trouble and to prove how tuff they are. On the internet, to them anything goes.. that cant be held accountable, or so they think. It ill catch up to them.. Karma..they will get back what they put out. I blame it on MTV and Rap music.. I know.. you may not agree, but I'll tell ya this.. kids were more respectful before MTV and Rap music came out. It comes from the Black community, the impoverished scociety.. no daddys at home, mamas on crack Uncle asshole is a pedofile, aint no jobs.. school sucks and then blows. I can't say it is limited to Black communities.. it has spread world wide.. but it originated and was born out of poverty. It is the parents fault.. The Mother that thinks the next fix is more important then making a good wholesome meal and being there to help with homework instead of standing on the corner selling her self for a bump. Daddy, if you know who he is.. is pimping out the young women making whores and crackheads outta them to make $$ so the pimp can drive a caddalac and eat steak everynight while his kids eat peanut butter and jelly. if there is any left. Don't get me wrong.. I am not putting black folks down or discrimanting against them.. I am just saying.. the disrespect is coming from poverty stricken areas.. you can hear it in the music.. no respect for Mama, or women at all for that matter... The men are at fault for not taking care of their HOMEwork. Too many sperm doners and not enough Daddys. Thery drop outta school to get jobs, they can't find jobs cuz their dropouts, viscious cylcle.. so they deal drugs and sex and drag down their community. It can happen in any home to any child... but it runs ramped in impoverished neighborhoods. The answer to the question is poverty.. the cure.. Education!!! sh
Interesting question. A lot of people blame internet rudeness on anonymity. Personally, I tend to think of a post as being somewhat like a newspaper letter to the editor, and don't want to write anything I might later be ashamed of. My impression is that much younger people who've grown up with the technology tend to be far more casual with their words. Seems like it's pretty much a different orientation to the written word because of technology. Also--and this isn't something I see addressed much--people can post online when they're drunk or high or in the throes of psychosis, and readers might have no way of knowing their state of mind. I also believe that some people with seriously socially unacceptable attitudes (very racist, for example) can give vent to their rage online in a way they can't safely do in "real life." I think SH is on to something too with the age thing. An adult child of 22 and one of 40 are pretty much two different generations, and that means they grew up in different worlds. My grandkids get away with a lot more rudeness than my kids (or even my kids' friends) did. Seems like between computers, tv, videos, dvds, ipods, cellphones, etc. those kids never have a moment of quiet--that's bound to have an affect on their brain development and sensibilities. What irritates the piss out of me in an online discussion is when someone seems to deliberately twist what another person has written and will never admit they've gone off half-cocked. People do this is verbal arguments as well, but when it's written down, how many "spins" can be done with a person's words? It's almost like they make up their minds what other people's POVs are without reading what's written.
Gracious, Hon, I don't know. I guess the thing I want to say to you is that trying to change other people's behavior, especially when we're talking about strangers online, is hopeless. I try to focus on my own integrity and treating other people the way I'd like to be treated. Whether I'm online or talking with someone face to face, whether I'm at work or at play, or whatever, I'm still me and responsible for my own words and actions. One thing I've noticed is that the less attention I pay to how fucked up other people are, and the more attention I pay to being the best person I can be, the happier I am. Honestly, I think there's a basic spiritual truth in this. But you know what? I just purely love you for asking the question. Your caring, your passion, make you someone who gives a damn, and I believe the world is just a little bit better because you care about kindness and civility.
Wonderful question , the only thing I can think of is to lead by example. I have caught a LOT of hate from various people , and i usually dont bother fighting back at all...instead , I retreat. Of course I have been accussed by a few of Kissing Ass , because i continue to be kind to them , but i was raised to be kind and love everyone , and for me to act like those that are being mean and hateful , I wouldnt be setting the proper example of what we are about , the REAL hippies.
