The Truth About Trolling

     

      While mindlessly browsing through humorous "memes" that had gone viral, I came across the following:

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       Now for the most part, I find this to be somewhat accurate. However, the creator of this meme omitted a fourth type of truly honest person: the anonymous internet poster. In most forums in the online world, users have the option to remain nameless and faceless, hidden behind an online persona. This persona can inspire the poster to express their true beliefs and grievances without the fear of being judged or criticized.
       Often, this illusion of anonymity can cause the user to say things that he or she would not normally say in public, such as their views on more controversial topics. A great example of this would be your run-of-the-mill angry YouTube commenter. These interesting specimens LIVE to stir the pot and draw attention to themselves, usually with some off-colour comment that no one would dream of saying out loud (also known as "trolling"). These comments often have absolutely nothing to do with the video that they supposedly just watched, and often contain somewhat skewed opinions on race, politics, etc. More often than not, there are usually a slew of (also anonymous) angry posters who then comment with their retort. This eventually escalates into a full-out debate filled with outrageous obscenities and statements that are just not very well thought out. On these threads of comments, posters can simply hide behind their computer screen and completely disregard the feelings or opinions of their fellow YouTubers. Blatant racism and sexism is often displayed, and nothing can be done about it. A quick trip to YouTube can show you just how anonymity affects how people express themselves online.
     In the real world, actions often have consequences, and words can hurt. Online, these words are still hurtful, but there are little consequences for the person saying them. Take these anonymous blogs for example. It is much easier to state your views on something and not be worried about what your classmates think. This is because the internet acts as an effective buffer between people. If you make a comment that offends a certain classmate, you don't have to witness their reaction, which makes these comments easier to say. With these blogs, users have the freedom to blow off steam without the worry of being judged for who they are.
      Having a sense of anonymity online has both its ups and downs. One has the freedom to express their innermost opinions without scrutiny. However, one can also fall victim to hurtful comments including racism, sexism, or homophobia. It is the user's responsibility to take these comments with a grain of salt, because more often than not, these comments are intended for shock value and not much else.