The evidence of our culture’s demise, online.
The more I read comments on mainstream media websites, on aggregators like Youtube and Digg, I realize why newspapers are going under, why nobody wants to pay money for them. I realize why books will die and why nobody is willing pay to read anymore. Many of the people who comment on these sites have issues with comprehension, with reading and understand English, and with communicating in it.
A part of it, I think, is the fact that there is so much information on the Internet, they can’t afford to spend more than a few minutes perusing one thing while they might be missing out on something way more fascinating over there. Another big part is the low priority placed on understanding anything they read online. It’s not work, they won’t lose their jobs because what they say makes no sense or has no value whatsoever. They won’t be laughed at to their face because they missed the point. They are not being paid for making relevant intelligent comments, so there is no gain if they actually take the time to think, either. There is nothing formal or businesslike or professional required of them here. On some level they want to be noticed, to be recognized, so there is the compulsion to comment, but not to think first, to make sure that they actually know what they are talking about.
People associate concentration with work. They associate trying to understand anything with drawing a salary and sitting in a cubicle, therefore without those motivations there is no reason to do it. Without the incentive to contribute anything relevant, you have adults communicating inanities with 2nd grade English.
Online comments have become less about sharing ideas than about feeling like you have said something, anything, to the world. It’s along the lines of graffiti in a restroom stall, or a dog’s bark, where a simple sound is enough.
March 29th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
your dumb. shut up. first
March 29th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
You mean “you’re”, which is, of course, you+are.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:56 am
I’m a Libra so of course I seem to always see two sides to every thing. I agree with what you said, however, I also see that it is a great vehicle for everyone to make themselves heard. Yes, maybe there are some poor grammar. I have learning disabilities and I am one of those people who struggle with spelling. Already on this comment I am going to have to look up 3 words. I love that they get underlined, because many times I am not even aware that I mis-spelled them. I get confused with tion and sion. I put a where e needs to go and visa versa. I have to agree that some people can write some STUPID things that don’t make a crumb of common sense. But like watching TV. I simply change the channel. I like the equality of being able to vent, or express my own ideas and concerns. If it was not for sites like this, I would not have the chance. Also, newspapers are Bias and will not print things that are “Politically incorrect” unless they feel it is printable. The internet still allows us “Freedom of speech.” Of course personally I believe that every word we write on here is being watched by big brother, and could set us up to going to prison if the government decides to create a genocide of the people. Keep writing your articles, you are opening minds with the things you talk about. Thanks!