Okay I guess that may seem slightly hypocritical as I complain and talk about many different things here BUT I have never deliberately called someone out on my blog. I may talk about people but there are no names mentioned, not enough description to figure out who it is and I am not being passive aggressive just telling funny stories for the most part or giving lessons in life based on my experiences.
What I am talking about here are two specific types of people. I am talking about the Facebookers who hide behind the fact that they aren't actually face to face with a person and the "anonymous" commenter on Tumblr (or similar type site). In recent years I have noticed an increase in people wanting to shout their opinions into cyberspace, not caring who they run over in the process. And ya know what, I really don't care. Everyone...and I mean EVERYONE is entitled to their own opinions. Some I agree with or relate to and some I don't but just because I don't agree with their opinion does not mean its wrong or that I can't be friends with you. It just means I see things a little differently. So what is an opinion?
"In general, an opinion is a judgment, viewpoint, or statement about matters commonly considered to be subjective, i.e. based on that which is less than absolutely certain, and is the result of emotion or interpretation of facts."
An opinion is not a fact and it is not a law. It is your own interpretation of a situation. It does not make you right or wrong...it is a show of your beliefs. Many will try to change your opinion and that is okay too. Its like an educational thing. If I think one way and you explain it to me differently, that may help me see it from your point of view and change or mold my original interpretation of things. But don't get pissed at me for trying to explain my POV just because it differs from yours. I am not trying to be an ass...I am expressing my views just like you are...it is an opinion! If everything offends you then don't broach the subject if you don't want a reply.
On the interwebs I usually steer clear of potentially heated discussions, mainly because its hard to express your opinion properly when someone can't see your face and things can be taken out of context. What I've noticed lately is those who feel "slighted" by society, seem to be using Facebook (or other social media) to attack unsuspecting "friends" based on said "friends" opinion on something. If you don't want to friend someone on Facebook, IGNORE the friend request or delete them. You don't have to give a reason, just ignore it. That is how a mature person should handle the situation (at least in my OPINION). But don't go calling them out in a passive-aggressive Facebook status because you don't agree with something they posted. Seriously who cares...you clearly aren't friends with this person to begin with...you probably popped up as a suggested friend and they clicked "friend request". Don't turn it into an internet war where you private message them provoking them and then publicly post their responses for your "friends" to see. What purpose does that serve? You post their full name and their idiotic response...so what...you are just as much of an ass for provoking them. Yea maybe their views are racist or prejudice...I sure as hell don't agree with them BUT what is the purpose of starting the fight to begin with? My opinion is if you aren't brave enough to say it to someones face don't say it online. You my friend are hiding behind the internet. You are an adult, older than I am and you are acting like a "mean girl". Most people I have seen do this are the kindest people in person and I guarantee you if they saw these people on the street they would be sweet as pie to them or avoid them all together. And you people that are egging them on are nothing but a bunch of minions. I bet most of you wouldn't do a thing in person so stop supporting this childish behavior. And yes I would say this to anyone's face IF and that's a big IF they are brave enough to broach the subject to my face. Its just I see this back and forth online and it makes it hard for me to accept the kind person I see in person. It makes me think that is all an act and then I don't want to be friends with you anymore. Not because of your opinion...because of your seemingly fake/split personality.
This also goes for the "anonymous" responder. If you aren't brave enough to respond with your real name/user name then you shouldn't be replying. You are being a coward and a jerk. I experienced an example of this the other day on one of these sites. I made a comment about a character on a TV show. Nothing that bad just an opinion. The way the person was acting on the show made me dislike her and think of her as spoiled and bratty. I received a response from an Anon saying "That's okay you think she is a brat, because we think you are an asshole, Now keep your hate out of this tag! Dickhead." Wow, okay then. First of all it wasn't hate exactly, it was an observation. Second of all I dislike the character but I love the show. Third I received numerous reblogs and likes on my comment so clearly using the phrase "we think" does not encompass the entire Fandom. This is not "we think" this is you think. If you think I am an ass/dickhead, whatever but don't hide behind Anon and don't generalize the entire Fandom. I didn't respond. If you can't hate message me off Anon you don't deserve a response. Granted this wasn't bad but it was annoying. I saw a better example yesterday. Someone messaged another user saying "I hope you die". That is a bit extreme. The funniest part is the person forgot to put themselves on Anon and freaked out because the user could see who it was and was begging the other person to delete the message because they didn't want anyone to be mad at them. The user posted the message for everyone to see. Maybe they were being just as much of an ass by calling them out publicly but I see how they were making a point (similar to the one I am making here). They were attacked for no reason, they didn't provoke it as far as I could tell. It was just a hateful person wanting to be a jerk. This is a perfect example of hiding behind the internet. They were all "brave" to tell this person to die while they were anonymous and then retracted because they didn't want to be seen as a bad person. I am almost certain these people are probably much younger (maybe not, who knows) than me but they should learn at a young age that you better be able to back up what you say.
My point is you can't hide behind the internet forever. It will catch up to you. And one day you are going to be a jerk to the wrong person online and they are going to get back at you. Whether it is online or in person one day Karma is going to bite you in the ass and honestly I am not going to feel sorry for you. What if the Facebook person gets fired because you provoked them into those responses. What if one of your "followers" takes revenge on them on your behalf? How would you feel about that? What if they were having a bad day and said those things out of anger or if you took their posts out of context? They are still not politically correct but I am just saying. How would you like it if someone took something you said out of context and you got hate for it? Its just messed up and people should realize that. "If you can't say something nice, say nothing"...or better yet if you must say something, be an adult about it and quit hiding behind the interwebs!
This is my opinion...I hope it wasn't offensive but regardless it is still just an opinion...I'll respect yours if you respect mine.
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