( Note: The following post does not target a single person. It is not an accusation. It is nothing more than a collection of observations that I have made over the years of living on the Internet. This is not me blaming anyone, or pointing the finger. This is not some personal vendetta hate letter. However, should you feel, while reading it, that you are guilty of some of the thoughts expressed here, perhaps you might want to sit down and think about a few things. Lord knows I have. Thank you. )
Opinions. They are everywhere. And, as a 25 year old female, born and raised in the U.S., I am still under the obviously delusional perception that people are still entitled to having an opinion. I don’t know where I get these ideas, I swear. I am, however, also under the perception that people are still allowed to disagree with opinions. I believe that not all opinions are bad. I believe that sometimes, people can have good opinions. Rarer still, I believe that occasionally, someone can disagree with an opinion in a mature, adult fashion, and it can often lead to interesting debates over who’s opinion(or disapproval) is more interesting.
However, let’s face it. This is the Internet, and while there are people out there who make valid opinions, more often than not, they are not taken seriously. So let’s get into the nitty gritty of this problem. The biggest reason why most opinions are not taken seriously can be summed up in a simple, pseudo-mathmatical equation:
normal person + anonymity + audience = asshat
There you have it. That’s the first reason why most opinions just aren’t taken seriously. But, let’s be fair here, and add to that:
When you take the time to put your opinion on the Internet, whether written like a 15 yr. old teenage girl texting on her cell like an idiot OR, a mature, reasonable, intelligent adult, you put it out for the whole world to see. You make it public and thus, run the risk of asshats finding it, exploiting it, tearing it apart, chewing it up and then spitting it out. And to that, I say, “You should’ve known this would happen.” Keep this paragraph in mind. We’ll get back to this.
On the other hand, by making your opinion known to the general public, there is the slim, random, but totally possible chance that unlike the idiot 15yr. old, you’ve put it in a place that will be read by like-minded peers. Which is a good thing, because that now means there is the possibility that someone intelligent will read it. You’ll now have the opportunity for someone to either agree with you, disagree with you, and there might be some great, adult debate.
Now, I said all that to finally say this: I may not be Einstein, but I like to consider myself a person of reasonable intelligence. As a result, I like to surround myself with equal intelligence. Most of the people I talk to on the Internet are people that are capable of not only well thought-out opinions, but of responding to opinions they disagree with in a mature, adult fashion. That’s great, because as a person of relative intelligence, I love a good debate. I love to sit down with smart people, discuss things, agree, disagree, and agree to disagree occasionally. I am an adult, and I can be level-headed that way.
So you can imagine where I might be a bit confused with how, lately, I’ve been noticing lately that some people just cannot handle that. Why is it that people cannot seem to handle it when someone gives them a disagreement of opinion. I am referring to these latter types of disagreements, by the way. The well thought-out, politely offered disagreeing opinions.
Now, when I say ‘opinions’, everyone is going to get into an uproar about “Oh, I have the right to my own opinion, blahblahblah”, so let me go ahead and just call a spade a spade, here. When you get down to brass tacks, an opinion is, in many ways, nothing more than constructive criticism.
Someone draws a picture. The angle seems a bit off. I offer my opinion of it. It’s criticism. Can we all agree on that? Good.
So, back to the topic at hand: What is it lately with people just being unable to handle a bit of polite, non-flaming, well-meant criticism? Why do people seem to take such offense? Especially when they, themselves, are the one who put their initial opinion out there in the open, for people to read, consider, agree, or disagree with? More importantly, why is that people will put out an opinion, be criticized(in polite fashion, mind you), and just say nothing? They will not agree, they will not disagree, they will not defend themselves, nothing? Read up there, people! Anonymous! It’s safe to argue reasonably over the Internet. Hell, as we’ve seen, it’s safe to argue like an ass over the Internet, too! What’s the point of putting out your opinion, if you’re not willing to stand up behind it? That’s the beauty of an opinion: It’s yours. It’s your thoughts, your feelings, your outlook on a topic. Be proud of it!
Every time I see that happen, when I see that following silence, I suddenly wonder: Do people not have the conviction to stand behind their opinions? Do people feel they don’t have the right to stand up for what they think? I can understand, to a degree, why you might not do this in person–because God knows it’s hard to stand up to a real person, face to face. (That’s not sarcasm, by the by.)
If you don’t want people to pick apart your opinions, you shouldn’t make them available. Mind you, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have an opinion! People have the right to think what they want. Everyone has the right to have an opinion on things. Really though, if you’re going to take the time to make them public affairs, that anyone can see, you should really be prepared for the possible repercussions of doing so.
Or am I just insane? Am I just being too optimistic in a world where it’s common-place and a source of entertainment, shooting down what people think and making fun of them at the drop of a dime?
It bothers me to think that the beautiful anonymity of the Internet is turning into the weak-minded fear that we have to deal with in the real world, where people are afraid of saying what they think because they fear persecution. This is the Internet. How’s that meme go?
Anonymous does not forgive. Anonymous does not forget.
I believe in that, because it’s true. When you are anonymous, you can do and say whatever you want. But that doesn’t mean that you have to be some 4chan fucktard to abide by it.
Take your Internet life by the horns. Say what you want. Put your opinions out there in a polite fashion. If someone disgrees with you? Debate. Be intelligent. Don’t be afraid to say what you think and what you feel. Don’t be afraid of fucking anything. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Tags:
Opinions,
speaking up 
How sad.
