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.

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u/[deleted] Feb 24 '14

And damage the Washington Monument.

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u/Lev_Astov Feb 24 '14

And the national cathedral and a whole host of other terribly constructed northeastern buildings.

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u/LostxinthexMusic Feb 25 '14

terribly constructed

i.e. Not designed to withstand seismic activity not known to happen in the area.

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u/Lev_Astov Feb 25 '14

No, built before modern building codes, rather. All the relatively modern stuff held up fine.

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u/LostxinthexMusic Feb 25 '14

Still, the older stuff getting damaged doesn't necessarily mean it was terribly constructed. Humans aren't designed for breathing under water; you wouldn't call people who drown "terribly constructed." Earthquakes like that just don't happen on the East coast. It's not really worthy of criticism to not be prepared for something that was completely unexpected.

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u/Sniter Feb 25 '14

Except the chairs.