Not the Ambition Wasteland comment section. I like the comments over here, and they are always welcomed. Beyond my own site things are a bit different. Why can't I read an article without having to know what the rest of the world thinks?
It's an addiction that I am actively struggling to break. It's a common issue, too. Searching via Google yields 500k+ results. I knew I wasn't the only one!
A few months ago I made a pledge to myself that I would not read the comments on certain blogs/websites and topics. As a boy who has grown up in the height of internet communication, I believe strongly in internet communication. It comes natural. I have read everything, have been called names, and even made friends via the World Wide Web. Somehow, I cant help but to feel like I never want to read another comment thread ever again. Let me clarify that: I'll read comments on certain topics, especially to gain insight but even something that innocent can go left real quick with one crazy comment. 0-100 real quick.
If there is one thing I have learned is to steer clear of comment threads about race, religion and politics. Some opinions are better left unknown. You'll never win, and any positivity will soon turn negative. Upsetting yourself seems to be addicting, and that's the part that bothers me!
There are millions of people browsing the internet, everything cannot be peachy and I know that. It's a task to find anything that everyone can agree with - and that is fine, too.
Facebook and Instagram seem to be the worst. I don't know what it is about those two platforms that bring the worst from people. I'm all for openly discussing controversial topics with strangers. It can be a great learning experience, but extremely discouraging all in the same sense. Whenever touchy topics are discussed people take that as an opportunity to be stupid. Those people see this as a perfect time to spew racism, sexism, homophobia and sexism. No one can hold them accountable from behind a computer screen. Except when their actual names are attached for the world to see. The screenshot is a hell of a tool.
It's not all bad though. One of the greatest things about the internet is that it allows people to share thoughts and ideas from all parts of the world.
Here are my thoughts: comments are extremely useful, and I have had positive experience with them. Learning something new or reading someone else's point of view can never be a negative thing, but the moment look to troll or argue is when I check out. There's also a difference in a commenter challenging your opinion versus debating for the sake of doing so.
Often times there is way too much negativity that lives in certain comment sections, and it's best to avoid it entirely.
So, how do you feel? Do comments bother you? Let me know below.