Why Do They Read It?

[Shana A]

Why Do They Read It?

By Jill Page Sat, Nov 27 2010

http://communities.canada.com/montrealgazette/blogs/patentpending/archive/2010/11/27/why-do-they-read-it.aspx

I was thinking tonight while driving home about some of the vile comments that have been posted to this blog. Really, you could count them on two hands, max, since this blog was founded 2.5 years ago. I'm wondering tonight why anyone would post such ignorant, bigoted comments to this blog or any other blog, for that matter. I'm wondering: if this subject bothers them so much, why are they even reading the blog?

Let me take a crack at answering my own questions, based on what I know of some of the people who have posted transphobic comments here. In one case, the comments -- about five of them -- turned out to be those of a male relative who I eventually connected with, and he ended up wishing me well. In another case, a transphobic comment was posted by a male friend of a family member. I can understand why my relative reads the blog, but I am not so sure about the friend of the family member. Curiosity, perhaps, but vile comments? Hmm.

[spacial]

That's an excellent point Seven

[JS]

I've long had a theory that some people think of offense or righteous anger the way others think about fear. That is to say, just as some people enjoy watching movies that scare them or riding rollercoasters, I think some people enjoy things that allow them to get angry or offended.

There's also a lot of people on the Internet that just troll for the sake of trolling. It doesn't matter what you're talking about, they just want to find people that will react to them.

[Elsa]

I've known a lot of people who would insult and be mean to others only because it gives them a rush or an ego boost.. such people are best avoided ... both for ones safety and mental health and because honestly ... I wouldn't nor would I want anyone else to waste even a second of their lives putting up with such people..