People Can Be So Mean

People Can Be So Mean

Topic Author: Auburn Hutton

Posted: 1:52 PM Apr 17, 2008

Replies Posted: 10 comments

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People Can Be So Mean

I've been assigned a story regarding the brutality of communicating through the Internet. As many may know by reading these blogs, they're anonymous...just like much of what you can read and post online. It's all part of our technologically advanced society...but it has also created something new and very unpleasant...something called "cyber-bullying."

Myself, along with several other KOLO 8 employees, have been victims of it. When someone doesn't like us, they tell us that on a blog for everyone to see. It's easy. Type a few mean words, press send, and voila! They got to tell us exactly how they feel, with full details and descriptions...yet they don't get to take credit, or blame for it. What I keep wondering is, would they say that to our face? Doubtful.

We're not the only ones either. Recently a man was killed in our area while committing a crime. After the story was posted on our site, dozens of viewers wrote in saying 'he deserved to die' and 'serves him right.' The victim's sister was very distraught over the comments and asked that we remove them from the site. She said she knew her brother did wrong, but still, he was a human, and more importantly, her brother. What I wonder is, would those viewers have dared say those things to her face? Once again, doubtful.

The Internet allows people to express the things many of us may feel everyday, yet wouldn't dare say out loud. It creates the type of anonymity that gives people courage to post things recklessly, knowing that they'll never have to take responsibility. The hard part is, regardless of whether these things are said out loud or written down on a blog, they're hurtful.

I'm going to explore this topic futher in a future story, but I'm wonderfing if anyone out there has been a victim of cyber-bullying. If so, I would like to talk to you. You can reach me at auburn.hutton@kolotv.com or (775)858-8880 ext. 228.

Or, if you want to remain anonymous, you can just write your comments here.

Posted by: linda Location: reno
Auburn,recently my husband saw something on Daybreak about pets in cars. We have two dogs and they go everywhere we go,except in the stores.We leave them in the car, windows down and water in there dish and we never take them out when it's real hot outside I don't even go outside. He heard something about a law where pets cann't be left alone in a vechical at all. Is this a law,are is this part of a law? Could you let me know please,I don't want to put my girls through any unpleasantness, if they cann't go then we will have to make other arrangements for them. Please let me know and Thank You for your time Linda of Reno

Posted by: Carol Location: Sparks
No matter where you go or what you say you still have to like yourself. I wonder how many of these bullies realize they are only hurting themselves. You can't hide from yourself so these bullies have to live with the dislike of themselves and that goes very deep. When you feel good about yourself you don't need to bully anyone. But sadly there are many people who go through life disliking themselves and wonder why. Try being a stand up guy or girl. Maybe you mother never taught you how but you can learn just by the way it feels. If others don't know then teach them instead of bullying them into your way of thinking. You are much more impressive when you look and sound intelligent. Sure, I don't agree with everyone but I am not going to get anyone to listen to me if I bully them, in fact they won't even hear what I am trying to say only the meaness of my words. So Bullies do yourself a favor and like yourself and others, you may be surpised by how good it feels to like yourself.

Posted by: Ron Location: Dayton
We live in an age where people hide behind their computers and say what they really feel about the world.Some are valid.Some are venting.I know I have even noticed when I am in a store, people are on edge, short tempered, and wondering what is going to hit next with the economy.Houses being foreclosed on, the price of crude oil at an all time high, and the price at the pump higher than ever, and our government acting like it is "Business as usual" is really making people mad.Our president telling us everything is just fine is just adding to the pile of stress upon each one of us.Rumors of the "Plunge protection team" buying indexes being the only reason the stock market has not crashed is another item added to the stress.People living from day-to-day wondering if they will have a job and place to live next week.Things are bad now, but they are going to get worse before they get better. We all have a tough road ahead of us, so prepare and take care of your family and neighbors.

Posted by: Sarah Location: Fallon
Our government was set up to be of the people, by the people and for the people. This does not mean for things like real I.D. to be created without the people having am imput on this and being able to vote on it. I realize that 9/11 has made many changes, but some of them are not good changes. There are many things happening that should not be happening in a country such as ours. We have the right to vote on how our country is done, yet this is not what is happening. Real I.D. proves this. Real I.D. is panic on the part of our government for their failure to do the job they were elected to do. Real I.D. is not going to stop those such as were involved in 9/11. They will find a way and are probably already here. Some of them legally. The current laws need to be inforced before we have anymore added. Our government needs to be responsible for the mistakes it has made and straighten this mess out, not put it on us to do. Let us vote not force us to comply to their rules. It's our country.

Posted by: Dennis Location: Reno
Forums are for expressing opinions and ideas. If they become personal attacks then it becomes necessary to moderate them. It is probably a mistake to continue to have a truly anonymous forum. When people are required to register, they are more apt to think a little more when posting. This does not mean that people will not post an opinion on another person. In regards to the man killed while committing a crime.. although sad, people have a right to express opinions about him on something that became public.. and people with opposite opinions also have a right to respond.. this is not a personal attack on the sister or his family.. and so does not require moderation.. or removal. Most people who commit crimes have family, and that does not stop the news media from identifying them.. and any story, and people in the story, are open to opinions. Personal attacks on people expressing an opinion should not be tolerated though.. and your IT department should look at other forum options.

Posted by: Jason Location: Reno
Disagreeing with someone else's comments is one thing. To demoralize and be out right mean to them is another. I truely doubt most of us would say mean, vicious things to other people in person. Cowards hide behind their blogs and feel powerful by bashing others. Clashing ideas and thoughts is ok. It's what makes us human. Being mean and hateful to each other makes us no more than animals. All of us have/had a mother/father who probably loved us at some point. Even criminals have family who love them. Judge not.... Lastly, we all know the saying, if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. This should really hold true on blogs. If you have a different opinion, great, share it. Just be mature, not childish with it.

Posted by: Pete Location: Reno
I agree with Rob. It's cowardly to post malicious content anonymously. Or post anything online that you wouldn't say to someones face.

Posted by: Rob Michel Cowards will always opt to voice their opinions behind a "cloak" like anonymity. That's about the only time they feel a sense of power.

Posted by: NV Resident Location: Reno
I disagree with your previous comment. I do feel there is such a thing as “cyber bullying.” Look at the case of the your 14 year old girl who committed suicide apparently due to the comments left on her Myspace page. This is a horrible tragedy, and I strongly feel that parents need to pay more attention and monitor the social sites that their children belong to. I do, however, feel it is not bullying when you post a blog (on your stations website) for others to read, and receive not so agreeable comments. If you do not like the comments that are left on your blogs, then try not to write any. Problem solved. Honestly, if you are having issues with the opinions of your viewers, then maybe broadcast journalism is not a career for you. If KOLO is getting unpleasant comment submissions on its website, then don’t allow them to be posted online. Where is your webmaster? Did you ever think that you write things down on a blog because you don’t want to say them out loud? Food for thought.

Posted by: Anonymous first there is no such thing as cyber-bullying. You are an adult. Next lets look at the NEWS media that pounds on someone's door after a story with no regard for the privacy of others. People post on these sites because maybe they are tired of being told they must conform or the PC Police will find them. The media has created this arena everyone has a cause or is a victim of something. The NEWS mostly fabricated and cultured to appeal to the viewers. Without the NEWS life still goes on. Who will tell us how much gas cost? Who will tell us how bad the economy is? Who will tell us how someone else is making a profit? And last but not least when will people be able to really have freedom of speech not from to speak?