Why there are so many cranks posting to the Democrat & Chronicle reader-interactive pages


Another post from my D&C blog I am making available here.

Friends have asked me why it is that so many people who write in the forums at the Democrat and Chronicle are so disagreeable, always finding the negative in every story.

I believe I hit upon the answer when I found this in WikiPedia on misanthropy:

 "Misanthropy is a general dislike, distrust, or hatred of the human species, or a disposition to dislike and/or distrust other people. The term is also applicable to those who self-exile themselves or become loners because of the aforementioned feelings. The word comes from the Greek words μίσος ("hatred") and άνθρωπος ("man, human being"). A misanthrope or misanthropist is a person who dislikes or distrusts humanity as a general rule."

The article goes on: "While misanthropes express a general dislike for humanity on the whole, they generally have normal relationships with specific individuals. Misanthropy may be motivated by feelings of isolation or social alienation, or simply contempt for the prevailing characteristics of humanity."

And more: " Overt expressions of misanthropy are common in satire and comedy, although intense misanthropy is generally rare. Subtler expressions are far more common, especially for those pointing out the shortcomings of humanity. In extreme cases, misanthropes may remove themselves from society, becoming hermits, recluses, shut-ins, or suicides."

Internet communication, particularly the sort opened up on these pages, will naturally invite the socially alienated to spew their hatred of humanity at every opportunity. From the comfort of their homes or offices and behind the anonymity the internet affords, they can express their distorted view of the world with little consequence.

The answer, of course, is not to try to silence them, but for those who are more socially inclined to offer more complex and nuanced views. And to write about joy and hope whenever, wherever we find it.

Thankfully, though they tend to dominate on the D&C's interactive pages, misanthropes are a minority in the public at large. If everybody felt the way they do, nothing good would ever be accomplished, nothing new would ever be invented, no one would ever try to solve any problem because it would be hopeless to even bother. 

Posted: Sat - March 22, 2008 at 10:45 AM          

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