I know that most internet users are idiots.

I just have difficulty grasping the concept of peer pressure on the internet. I know that for some it's a serious problem, like internet bullying, but I still think it's spectacularly stupid.

Same. I know it happens but it's such an easy medium to just ignore or shut off. You aren't obligated to do anything for your "internet friends" unless you have to face them in real life, really.

Why would internet peer pressure be any different from regular peer pressure?
It might seem ridiculous to people like us who grew up mostly before the internet was actually considered a social life, but to not recognize the change since then and how it's relevant to those it affects is a little naive.

I think it's more like most people are idiots. It just comes across easier on the internet... since there's no image, all you have to look at are their words and that's when you realize how retarded everyone in the world is.

I guess it's because I didn't grow up with the internet and because I didn't get internet connection until like 6 years ago so it's still a relatively new thing to me.

Kids still go to public schools, I don't know why any kid would consider the internet a better substitute for the real thing especially if they actually have friends in the real world.

I don't, that's the only reason I'm here. :p:

This is a great point...maybe some of the younger members here can describe what it is like to basically not remember a time without the internet?

I actually value the time I grew up in. I'm young enough to completely be comfortable with technology and the internet, but old enough to appreciate what it was like without it. Cell phones, as well. Sometimes I really yearn for the days where I had a good excuse to be out of touch.

Not a better subsitute... but fuck. I don't even like anyone at my school.

I experience prejudicial things here at MB, words like "trailor trash" and "ignorant rednecks" are bandied about, and there is a certain anti-Christian here sediment too, that bother me slightly. I think maybe they meet people in their lives that made them mad, and are venting there fustration, and I think to myslef 'don't take it personal' it's really about something that happened in their life. I've been called every name in the book in real life and heard almost everything there is to hear about religion, I try my best not to let it phase me, all I care about is how I can be positive in the situation and not retaliate. I keep repeating to myself 'that is how they want to act.' It's not me and I'm that pejorative - whatever they called me. Grace under pressure. What's more important is how I talk. I often think about the Amish and Mennonite, how they are pacifist and commit themselves to non-violence, and I thought to myself what about a non-violent speech, not only being commited to nonresistence in action but also in words too. I know there are certain people here that just love the "F" bomb and they just carpet bomb MB with it in their posts. I believe in free speech, but there's a sort of violence and disrespect in constantly using that word, maybe there is a hidden anger inside the person who over uses it. I do my best not to use that f word.

:clap:

I agree about the religion thing. I'm all for openly discussing it and if you have problems with it there's nothing wrong with saying it. I'm all for discussion. It's when I get the feeling that, say me being a believer in religion, is looked down upon. I've read some comments by people that are very critical of religion in threads that have no need for it. "That's almost as stupid as Christianity" etc.

Of course you can understand that a lot of bigotry comes from so-called Christians and members of other religions - it's not an excuse but it's certainly a factor in why so many people have a distaste for it.

Sadly, my experience with bible belt fanatic Christians here in the midwest is why I get defensive and tend to default to a "holier than thou" tone when it is brought up. I have to remind myself that there are actually sane and very intelligent practicing Christians out there. If I've ever offended anyone because of that, I apologize.