Why I Hate The Internet (Lately)…

…because it is a magnet for negative people. It’s like a front porch bug light that unfortunately doesn’t kill them; it continues to make whining more accessible to them. The web is an oasis of loathing for negative people… they can complain and moan and be SO COMPLETELY UNIMPRESSED with virtually everything in the world while comfortably sitting in the friendly confines of their office, disgustingly overpriced coffeeshop of choice, or parent’s basement. Since they don’t have to actually look anyone in the face, they can finally say all the things they’re far too weak-willed to even think about uttering in public. On the web, everyone is 6ft tall and bulletproof and ridiculously talented and omniscient. Didn’t you know?

If you think this is aimed at you, it isn’t. (Unless you’re one of these people, and then it is aimed at you and you should get your act together because you really do suck the life out of people when you act like an idiot).

Examples of the widespread negativity are almost everywhere, but if you want a concentrated dose, I suggest visiting a messageboard or the comment section of your average widely-read blog. (Not this one, you people are far too cool). These “communities” (don’t get me started) foster an environment where everyone can have a say… how wonderfully democratic. The problem is, in real community we have to be accountable for our actions and our words because we know (and can see) the affect they have on people. Face to face it’s clear that words can literally crush people or, put to better use, lift them out of whatever pit they’ve fallen into. We can see the power of words in action IN PEOPLE. And make no mistake, that’s where they’re going… in people. In web world, you just type, type, type, rant, rant, rant, and hit the submit button and, let’s be honest here, don’t really care where it goes, who sees it, or what affect it has on anyone. In short, the internet might quite possibly be the most self-centered tool for being inarticulate, sarcastic, and spiteful in the history of mankind.

Or it might just be the way for cowards to finally feel good about themselves.

Again, if you think this is aimed at you, it isn’t. (Unless you’re one of these people, and then it is aimed at you and you should get your act together because you really do suck the life out of people when you act like an idiot).

Now, the wonderful thing about my place in the world is that designers and music fans are the WORST at what i’m talking about. By and large, most people spouting off about design and music on the web are, at best, ignorant novices who are a bit uneducated about what’s actually going on to produce the results they’re hearing, seeing, feeling, taking in, etc. or, at worst, bitter, petty people lobbing condemnation grenades from the sidelines of a game they’ve never had the guts to actually play. A typical internet exchange would go something like this:

Protagonist: I really like this band. (or) I really like this site.

Dissentient #1: They suck. (or) This sucks. 

Dissentient #2: They’re so five years ago. (or) Why don’t you use Flash?

Dissentient #3: I’ve heard way better stuff than this. You should listen to [insert indie-cred band that they deem worthy here]… they’re actually doing something different and creative and awesome. (or) This is just a rip of [insert website that they think is a rip off because it uses things like a grid system or, oh… I don’t know, colors].

Protagonist: Do you guys play? (or) Do you guys have a site?

[offstage cricket noises]

Everyday. Every single day of my life that I sit in front of this computer, I sift through negative, whiny, ignorant, spiteful, careless conversations that aren’t actually conversations… they’re one-sided diatribes we think will shed light on our own brilliance. Apparently we love the sound of our own voice SO MUCH that it doesn’t even matter if we can hear it; the sound of computer keys will do. And the saddest part is that i’m writing about it… on the internet… thinking I have something to say and that people need to hear it. 

So yet again, if you think this is aimed at you, it isn’t. It’s aimed at me. (Unless you’re one of these people, too, and then it is aimed at you and you should get your act together because we really do suck the life out of people when we act like idiots).

P.S. I don’t take too many things personally, so this isn’t where this post is coming from. But in the for what it’s worth category, if you’re going to rail on someone’s work, you better make sure you’re doing work that backs up your mouth. Because these days it seems like those who can, do, and those who can’t?

Well, they just complain.