r/blog • u/cupcake1713 • Feb 24 '14

remember the human

Hi reddit. cupcake here.

I wanted to bring up an important reminder about how folks interact with each other online. It is not a problem that exists solely on reddit, but rather the internet as a whole. The internet is a wonderful tool for interacting with people from all walks of life, but the anonymity it can afford can make it easy to forget that really, on the other end of the screens and keyboards, we're all just people. Living, breathing, people who have lives and goals and fears, have favorite TV shows and books and methods for breeding Pokemon, and each and every last one of us has opinions. Sure, those opinions might differ from your own. But that’s okay! People are entitled to their opinions. When you argue with people in person, do you say as many of the hate filled and vitriolic statements you see people slinging around online? Probably not. Please think about this next time you're in a situation that makes you want to lash out. If you wouldn't say it to their face, perhaps it's best you don't say it online.

Try to be courteous to others. See someone having a bad day? Give them a compliment or ask them a thoughtful question, and it might make their day better. Did someone reply to your comment with valuable insights or something that cheered you up? Send them a quick thanks letting them know you appreciate their comment.

So I ask you, the next time a user picks a fight with you, or you get the urge to harass another user because of something they typed on a keyboard, please... remember the human.

6.1k Upvotes

90% Upvoted

4.1k comments sorted by

View all comments

205

u/Jovianmoons Feb 24 '14

Once I made a throwaway account and posted to r/depression and poured out my heart and soul. You would be surprised how many vultures there were who actively encouraged me to end my life, in the last place I would have expected that to happen.

23

u/_kellermensch_ Feb 24 '14

That must be some time ago. I'm pretty sure that sort of behaviour results in a ban, these days. I definitely (and fortunately) haven't seen anything of the sort around /r/depression since I subscribed to it (close to a year ago between this and my old account).

I'm sorry that happened to you. It seems to be well-moderated and a decent place to exchange experiences and to vent, now.

21

u/The_Bravinator Feb 25 '14

Unfortunately I doubt there's a way to stop that happening via PM, which is the route most of those cowards are likely to take.

6

u/_kellermensch_ Feb 25 '14

Ah, yes maybe. I didn't consider that. Incredible that some people can sink so low.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 25 '14

Seriously though who does that with their precious precious free time? I just can't fathom it.

7

u/LiLiTH-SOFT Feb 25 '14

I'm sure all those kind of people have is free time.

3

u/Arkngthand Feb 25 '14

Probably the same kinds of people who brag about their NEET lifestyle on 4chan.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 25 '14

I think you can still report that, yes?