i've always been an asshole

People have always been jerks at times. Social media just let's them do it anonymously. I've seen a lot of hatred and ugliness my whole life, it's not just rearing it's head now, it's always been with us.

Nothing new. The internet creates some amount of anonymity, and all the cowards in real life feel they can vent their cowardly frustration in it. That is all.

Why I choose to use my real picture and my real name.

Nah, it's just you.

[en.m.wikipedia.org]

Well, social media certainly has empowered and emboldened all of the cowardly assholes.

I think people are less polite on social media, if not in person. There's little accountability on social media, or at least people aren't as aware of accountability. Saying something fucked up on social media is a lot less likely to get you punched in the mouth presently and then have your momma beat you when you get home.

Last week I went to the Great American Outdoor Show. It was fairly packed and there were people bumping into each other. People said things like "excuse me" or "I'm sorry" or "pardon me." That was the first time.i can remember being in an area with that many people where they were so well mannered.

I'm not positive it can all be blamed on social media. It's my impression that people just aren't taught manners anymore.

I think people are less polite on Social Media than they used to be.

Initially people were thrilled to be able to communicate far and wide - now it's taken for granted. I'm not sure why so many treat the folks we meet with so much disdain or disregard?

It could be the current political environment.
Or how miserable people are in the workforce.
How little influence people have in the self-determination department right now.

So many factors could be playing into it.

If we thought about other people as being able to potentially spit into our food would it change? lol I don't know.

Absolutely. who was it who said "The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers"
Oh yes it was Socrates.

I think you're just exposed to more people..

everyone seems to be looking for anything they can be pissy about, or be offended by. not as many hold the door and say good morning these days. be careful in the parking lots!
social media may be keeping the antagonism on the server and not in the street.

The internet's pretty much a civility condom.

It seems since 2016 people have become less polite and downright disrespectful.

People seem to be considerably less polite, compared to even a few years ago! I was chatting with a friend about that, specifically being polite on the road. If someone offers a kindness, I wave a 'thank you', but I sure don't see people do that when I am polite (let them into my lane, or whatever). Are people lazy, or just rude?

I think it all started with the CIA's operation Mockingbird. Media is definitely controlling to the low hanging fruit. TURN OFF YOUR TV!

It’s because we actually interact with people who we wouldn’t otherwise do so whereas when we’re not online we tend to only communicate with those who are purely like minded.

So when we’re online and attempt to share our views we’re going to encounter those who we’ll not see eye to eye with.
And if we have an unfriendly conversation we can understand that the niceties are most likely going fall away.

Naw..they're just as rude. I can remember.

I've had some wild fights on my Facebook page but I was not the participant only the instigator. I eventually end up blocking anyone that uses name-calling instead of logical debate in their responses. Responses therefore have to be semi polite or I get rid of the poster. I've actually been Ruder on this forum than I am on my Facebook page perhaps that's because I don't know any of you personally. I've always been asked spoken in person and am often accused of lacking a filter but I don't call people names.

Real life, on line, or both? I am probably more rude on line, because I don't get in discussions in real life like the ones that happen on line. I get into discussions on line with people I would never hang out with in real life. Sometimes I get rude, but 99% of the time it is my intention. I am not saying it is right, and it probably isn't. I have found myself more and more passing on some posts l know will turn into an argument.

I'm worse IRL.

No question about it...people choose to be rude

Fucked if I know you stupid cow!