week 9 Online Arguments

 

For this reflection, I went through multiple Reddit feeds trying to find controversial posts and questions that could potentially stir up opinion & tensions in the comment sections. I stumbled across this Reddit page titled (Am I the A**hole?). Throughout this page, members would post asking the thread if they were the A in this situation because of a certain circumstance and the thread would reply. I chose this specific one because the question this member was asking was "AITA for leaving my husband at home without kids after he blew off our anniversary?" Link To The Reddit Thread

Three Concerns and negative elements of this argument: 

1. Yes, this user asked for opinions so opinions were most definitely shared but she was looking for advice not to be bashed on the internet, another user commented "You literally did nothing for him lmao, made breakfast, didn't wake him up and ate it yourself. No mention of gifts or cards from you, incredibly lady" I agree with this statement that the posting user did not communicate at all but this commenter could've phrased this advice in a more civil manner and not bashed her for no reason. 

2. There can be a lack of context from the initial poster that then causes the commenters to share their opinions on what she did without clarifying and most of the comments can be very rude for no reason

3. In a thread like this, there can be a lot of bias which can encourage negative and shameful conversation when the initial idea of this post is to ask for clarification and advice from others, not be shamed for asking for help. 

Five rules for how people should argue online correctly 

1. Say things that you are okay with being tracked back to you. You can hide behind a screen but with technology now, there can be a way for someone to expose your identity 

2. Have respect and be civil 

3. Be willing to hear their side before you respond as you would want them to do as well

4. Do not say derogatory comments out of anger (even though yes I understand that is usually the core of why people argue online)

5. Provide context and BE ABLE TO LISTEN to the context the other side provides to you. 

Link To The Reddit Thread