Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Spreading Hate

Sometimes, this thing called the Internet is awesome, and sometimes, this thing called the Internet really makes me angry.
It has become far to easy to sit behind a screen and spew hate, rage, and meanness.

Earlier this week, one of my favorite bloggers made a hard announcement. I have never met her, but we have emailed a few times, and I comment on her site daily. She is a runner, she is lightning fast, super positive, and seems like a great girl. Basically, I want to be best friends with her in real life. I have been reading her blog for years, and she inspires me, pushes me, and reminds me to look for the good in life. I don't think I have ever read her blog without smiling.

After she made her announcement, I was surfing the web, and stumbled across a site that mentioned her news, and as I scanned the comments, I found myself becoming more and more angry. There were some of the most vile, mean, and nasty comments. Commenter's were bashing her for things that had nothing to do with the news, they just bashed her personality. Then, they started talking about other blogs, and bashing some other healthy living women as well. The first few comments were nice, but all it took was one mean comment to start the snowball effect. People followed suit and negativity spread way too quickly.

What happened to the days of "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all."

So often, we sit behind these screens, with our made up user names, and troll the Internet for things to comment on. When hiding behind a screen these people are brave, brazen, and let their dark side out.
They give into jealousy and envy, and show their true colors. Because so much of our internet activity is anonymous, there is little accountability.

There are blogs out there that I cannot stand, and rather than comment on their site, I just don't read them. I want to read blogs that inspire me, that make me laugh, make me cry, and make me better.

This week, I want to focus on spreading joy rather than negativity. Negativity can be triumphed by positivity.

Lets do something nice for someone. Comment on a blog, and say something nice. Pay for Starbucks for the guy in line behind you. Send a quick note to your grandmother letting her know you are thinking of her. Smile at a stranger. Help someone with their hands full. Just try and make someone smile this week.

6 comments:

lesley: the dream tree said...

you are soooo right. your poor blog friend. i hate when i see that kind of stuff about blogs i love, especially when i think of them as friends. people are so weak to sit at home using anonymous commenting. makes me sick. glad you brought up this awful topic. definitely one of the downfalls of the blogging world.

Michelle said...

Love this post. I've been noticing more and more hate lately and I really do not like it. Puts a sour taste in my mouth.

Holly @ Run With Holly said...

Amen.

My philosophy is the same as yours: "If I don't like it, I don't read it."

But what boggles my mind most of all is...I have trouble finding time to read and comment on all the GOOD stuff out in the blogosphere. How do these people have time/energy to read stuff that makes them upset, THEN spread angry energy about it? My word.

Brooke said...

guess it doesn't count that I was already planning on having lunch with my grandmother huh? :P

Denise said...

i don't get it.
and yeah, if you don't like it or agree - don't read. ugh. people.

Rachelle said...

I've been reading your blog for a while now, but I don't like to comment much...confession:I usually read from work during slow times. Anyway, I also read the blog you're talking about.I am praying for that friend, she is a strong, beautiful woman. Life is tough enough-I agree do something nice for someone who can't return the blessing!