Fast 0 #1 March 26, 2004 Interesting. News Quote Chatrooms separate the men from the boys Polly Curtis Friday March 26, 2004 Internet chatroom users can be so aggressive that a sociologist studying them has labelled some online communities "electronic fight clubs". According to the new research, even the most laid-back people can erupt into furious rants when debating online, and it's all part of an effort to distinguish themselves from the next user. Some even take on multiple personalities in a bid to outsmart their online acquaintances, while others adopt menacing usernames. Gordon Fletcher, an information systems lecturer at Salford University, revealed his findings to the British Sociological Association meeting this week. His paper, entitled "Fight Club: culture, conflict and everyday life amongst an online community, focussed on a sociological study of an online finance forum", describes conflict as "a unifying social force that shapes individual participant's relationships with one another". The research's abstract explains: "Conflict is an important social force among online communities, as it assists in the construction of hierarchies and social orders without the need for prior knowledge of individual participants or other forms of verification or trust in relation to the claimed identity of others." The finance chatrooms that Mr Fletcher studied were made up of stockbrokers and finance buffs, who used pseudonyms such as Moriarty and Xerxes, and repeatedly argued until they established a pattern of social hierarchy. "The hallmark observation of this forum was the regularity with which conflict occurred among the members," Mr Fletcher told the Times Higher Education Supplement. "These people are coming together because they have a common interest, but that doesn't necessarily mean they want to be friends with one another," he added. ~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Professor 0 #2 March 26, 2004 That's Bullshit! And you're an idiot!! the Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory Ted Like a giddy school girl. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #3 March 26, 2004 ROFLMAO! So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kennedy 0 #4 March 27, 2004 arguing on the internet is like running in the special olympics...witty subliminal message Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards. 1* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airborne_gary 0 #5 March 27, 2004 Is this Internet Rage Facebook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SarahC07 0 #6 March 27, 2004 hmm... it's true.... Nice post man.... Sarah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #7 March 27, 2004 QuoteThat's Bullshit! And you're an idiot!! the Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory A fellow PA reader, I see. The best part about that is, there is a real study on the subject: The Impact of Anonymity on Disinhibitive Behavior Through Computer-Mediated Communication. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
champu 1 #8 March 27, 2004 it's like trying to keep your whiteboard cock-free during it's first month or so in a college dorm... ...it's simply impossible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #9 March 27, 2004 Quoteit's like trying to keep your whiteboard cock-free during it's first month or so in a college dorm... ...it's simply impossible. haha ~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflybella 0 #10 March 27, 2004 This is SO TRUE! (Additionally, someone said in another thread - that there must be some sort of erotic gratification in arguing.) So, if this study is true...who is where in the hierarchy of dz.com?? Action expresses priority. - Mahatma Ghandi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luv2Fall 0 #11 March 27, 2004 Bwah!!! No shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
